Editor’s note: September 25 is National Daughters’ Day! We’re celebrating with a special mother-daughter installment of our FACES of Birmingham series. Enjoy!
**********
On their mother-daughter text thread, Kim Kreis and Deryl Kathryn Campbell share their latest fashion obsessions, home decor finds, and all the happenings with Deryl Kathryn’s kids (Kim’s grandchildren). There are also plenty of discussions about their current paintings-in-progress, the finer points of their artistic processes, their latest business successes, and sometimes, struggles. As independent artists, they inspire each other creatively and encourage one another to realize their full potential. Get to know these talented FACES of Birmingham!
Tell us how you started painting.
Kim: I have dabbled in many areas of creativity since I was young. I was even thrilled with the fragrance of crayons and their names — like “orchid!”
Skipping ahead, I was a fourth-grade school teacher and then cofounder of Sweet Pea Designs Fine Stationery for over 25 years. We passed our business on to Printswell. In 2017, I took a year to study painting and the marketing required for my next creative venture. I had painted in school and on the side for enjoyment, so this was the next logical step. After an initial art show did well, I believed I had enough confirmation to go forward.
Deryl Kathryn: Many of my early childhood memories involve art. I loved the illustrations of Mary Blair in the Little Golden Books. I particularly loved the way the movies Sleeping Beauty and Peter Pan were illustrated. When I was five, I was intrigued by the Laura Ashley wallpaper in our living room. My mother has always been an artist, and I think that encouraged me at a young age to see what I could create. In early elementary school, Mom signed me up for after-school art lessons, and that meant so much to me.
In college, I majored in Fine Art but did not finish school. I started painting again when I had my first child. Six years ago, when we moved to Orange Beach, my husband encouraged me to do this full-time.
Define your artistic style.
Kim: I love to describe myself as an abstract artist who most often relies on whimsy and color to connect with myself and my client base. My style is pretty simple, and though I have an eclectic range of interests, I think those who know me would pretty easily recognize my work for its color and the influence of flowers.
Deryl Kathryn: Colorful! I love bright, happy colors. My subject matter is whatever I’m inspired by. I have loved painting bugs and flowers, but recently, I’ve been working on summer and beach themes. My children’s portrait commissions are what I get the most excited about. There is something so special about capturing a moment in paint that you know will live with a family forever.
What is the best part about having a shared passion for painting?
Kim: I love connecting with my grown children — all three are creative in their own ways. With Deryl Kathryn, there is hardly a day when I call and she is not painting or has painting scheduled! I can always tell from her voice whether or not she has a brush in her hand. To have another artist who really knows you, can encourage or laugh with you, will tell you the truth, or give you an alternate idea is calming for a creative. She suggested I begin pottery when I was hitting a wall. It was one of the most enjoyable creative processes I’ve ever done!
Deryl Kathryn: It’s nice to have this person who just “gets it.” She understands the excitement of selling a piece and the frustration that can come when a painting is not moving in the right direction. It’s always nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of.
How have you influenced each other’s artwork?
Kim: Deryl Kathryn’s work is entirely different than mine and I admire her more than I can say. She has an inherent talent that is just “there,” whereas what I want to picture on my canvas requires a lot of thought and plotting. Both are good, of course, but I admire the talent of artists who, regardless of the style, can transfer what they see in their minds to the canvas in a manner that seems effortless.
Deryl Kathryn: Mom is so free! Her work just flows, and she is able to focus and get the work done. I love the bold choices she makes when it comes to form and color. I also love that all of her Flower Ladies tell a story and how much time she pours into developing a narrative for each piece.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Kim: Since pottery has become part of my work, I would say working in my garden, reading, and being with our grandchildren.
Flowers and gardening really connect my art, pottery, and home. We are in the process of adding additions to our home, so daily construction decisions are a large part of my life.
Deryl Kathryn: Since we live on the Gulf Coast, I love to go to the beach. Loading the family up on the boat, taking lunch, and spending the day with my feet in the water has got to be the perfect Saturday. I love walking and biking with the kids, just being outside together.
Who or what is inspiring you right now?
Kim: Truthfully, my daughters. Sometimes, I can’t believe the wisdom and interesting points of view they have. Even their styles of fashion or home influence me, and they laugh and say to stop buying what they buy! They amaze me.
What inspires me is that the older I get, the braver and more comfortable I am walking to my own beat — whether it’s what I have to say or do or the values and faith I hold. It feels freeing to know who you are without fear of anyone else.
Deryl Kathryn: I draw a lot of inspiration from interior design accounts on Instagram and shopping at unique stores. My sister, mom, and I have a group thread, and we constantly send each other things we love. I used to pour over magazines when I was growing up, but now, there is unlimited creative inspiration at our fingertips. I know social media can be a divisive topic, but I’ve found that it has expanded my creative world.
How can readers find and support your work?
Kim: My Instagram account, @kimkreisart, and website, kimkreisart.com, are where you can see most of my art and vases. Golden Griffin in Huntsville, Purple House Gallery in Gainesville, and The Grand Bohemian Art Gallery in Mountain Brook are brick-and-mortar locations [that sell my work].
Deryl Kathryn: I love to connect on Instagram @derylkathrynart or my website at derylkathrynart.com. My art is also sold at Brand in Orange Beach.
What is your best piece of advice?
Kim: “Read the Bible.” No other source in the world can lead to a better life, [help you] grow in wisdom, or give us sustainable peace regardless of what we see in our world.
Deryl Kathryn: Slow Down.
We put so much pressure on ourselves that everything has to happen right now. But good things happen over time with consistency—a good marriage, a well-appointed home, happy friendships. None of these things happen overnight.
Aside from faith, family, and friends, name three things you can’t live without.
Kim: Time in the sunshine, exercising, and my favorite jeans with white shirts.
Deryl Kathryn: Morning sunshine, coffee, and Birkenstocks.
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Last delicious local meal?
Kim: The Pita Stop is my favorite “go-to” in Birmingham. It’s Mediterranean fare that is dependably delicious and healthy. Their date nut cream cheese bread is a dessert we enjoy!
Deryl Kathryn: I just had dinner at Luca in Homewood, and it was fantastic. The Luca fries were so good!!
Favorite place to vacation?
Kim: Always the beach, especially Hilton Head. Although Palm Beach begs for a return, and we are contemplating Anna Maria!
Deryl Kathryn: We love Hilton Head and Anna Maria. We just took a trip to Yosemite, and it was truly life-changing.
Book(s) on your bedside table?
Kim: My Bible and Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
Deryl Kathryn: When Women Ran Fifth Avenue by Julie Satow and The Gilded Hour by Sara Donati
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
**********
To stay in the know on the best of Birmingham, subscribe to our daily emails!
