Interview: Kim Chase
Luca Curci talks with Kim Chase during VENICE INTERNATIONAL ART FAIR 2021, at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space, and during THE BODY LANGUAGE 2022, at ITSLIQUID Art Space – Venice Grand Canal.

Born and raised in Thunder Bay (Canada), Kim Chase is full-time artist who works out her home studio 6 days a week. She has been painting all her life on and off, nothing serious though as life and career always took the front seat. From being an ex-military F-18 aircraft mechanic, then a pilot, a firefighter, Chief Inspector for the Nunavut Liquor Commission, business owner, personal trainer and gym owner, best-selling author on Amazon, to artist, she has enjoyed a variety of careers during her life. She love changing, it keeps things exciting. It wasn’t until I retired from her last career that she decided to take up painting to pass the time. It was then she found a passion in her that she hadn’t discovered before. She has always been a representational realism painter. It wasn’t by choice; it was just a natural direction for her that required no thinking or decision.

Luca Curci – What is art for you?
Kim Chase – For me it’s an intense desire that I need to satiate. When I put the paint to the canvas it also brings forth a spiritual practice for me and a greater connection to the world around me. It brings me to a higher level of awareness with a deeper experience. I find myself at complete peace when I am painting and, in a stress-free environment that feeds my soul. I am able to tune everything out and turn on my imagination.

LC – How did you get to your current artistic practice?
KC – Even though I have dabbled with art over the years, I never really gave my artistic vision or practice much thought. It wasn’t until I found myself really wanting to have a career in art, that I needed to find my way through my methods that gave me the satisfying results I was looking for. I have had a couple of mentors over the last couple of years that have helped me discover and expand my methods and instill that patience awards greater rewards on the finished product. Every artist should have a mentor. The more you can learn from others openly and take it to practice, the better artist you will be.

LC – How is your creative process?
KC – I always start with a reference photo, but my mood must accept the reference and make me want to explore it more. When I find that special something I want to take to the canvas, I prepare for days, sometimes months to find the right way I want to portray that reference. My mind is spinning all the time on how I want to tell its story, how I want to convey the message I feel, and how others might see it. I think about the mood it will convey, how the image will look when its done and how I will make it look using light and darkness to set that feeling. Then I jump in with two feet.

LC – Are your artworks focused on a specific theme?
KM – Sometimes they are. I like to tell a story with my artwork; touch the heart, stir up memories or something that might be front and center in the world around us. Sometimes I focus on just the subject because it stirs me. My main focus on art is with portraiture, figurative and wildlife, while connecting them with the parallels of nature that we possess.

LC – How do you feel when you see your work completed?
KC – I always feel joy and pleasure, especially when a piece comes together. I take great pride in my art and my ability to produce quality works. I am very excited to announce a new piece to the world whenever I am done.

LC – What is the message linked to the artwork you have shown in this event? How is it connected to the theme of the entire exhibition?
KC – I am displaying two pieces; one shows fun and excitement while intermingling with a sprinkler on a hot day. With the water flying everywhere around this little girl in the form of free spirit and carefree days without feeling bound by her environment. The other is about sorrow and loss during these past 2 years stricken with Covid-19 and the collateral damage it has done to society. With her world falling down around her from a life that used to be filled with love and life, she is lost in her past with no answers to the future.

LC – We were attracted by your last artistic production, has the artwork presented been created for the exhibition or as a part of preexisting works?
KC – Both pieces were done recently as pre-existing artworks. They really fit in with the theme of the exhibition, depicting both ends of the spectrum with the relationships between body and space.

LC – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform?
KC – I think it’s a fabulous platform with many facets that appeal to a variety of artists and collectors. It is very versatile and visible and holds a conducive environment for those that are involved. It’s exciting to see all the things that ITSLIQUID is involved in and how they take charge to create a great venue, exhibition and platform for artists and collectors to explore.

LC – What do you think about the organization of our event?
KC – I was so nervous sending my artworks overseas for the first time, but I had such great support and help from the management team, that everything was seamless. I think ITSLIQUID has it completely under control and streamlined with the experience they have, that their events are top notch.

LC – Would you suggest a collaboration with us? What do you think about our services?
KC – I would absolutely consider a collaboration with ITSLIQUID! Without their guidance on getting everything organized, it would’ve been quite challenging for me. Their services are one to commend and one that I would expect from other venues.