( Column 22 / 2002)

          "A commentary about creative people living in the small communities scattered through the hills and valleys of Central New York"
          Published in The County Review

          In her second floor corner studio overlooking the park in Oxford, NY, Kim Begeal works her magic. Surrounded by eclectic examples of experiments in creativity, this nest reflects her diverse and unique approach to self expression. Faces are everywhere! Portraits, light hearted caricatures, children transformed into whimsical faeries, along with pictures and sketches tacked all around, reveals that she studies, feels, and absorbs people, and then captures them in paintings which become unique and personal heirlooms.
          Though not all she is capable of, portraits, in her unique and personal style, are where she excels. With colored or graphite pencil, charcoal, watercolor, or acrylics, the results are still the same.....She creates wonderful renditions of people. An ability to capture the subject's image, convey a bit of personality, as well as giving the viewer a glimpse into their soul, makes a portrait by Kim more than just a picture.
          According to Kim: "A lifetime interest in Art, a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art & Design from Alfred University and 14 years of professional freelance work (while raising three children) has brought me to a wonderful place I have named ArtistiKim Studio."
          From Kim, you can commission a portrait, forever sharing memories of your family and loved ones. She can work from photographs, which allows for creatively including and combining subjects into the portrait. This is perfect for surprise gifts, special memories, and inter generational portraits.
          On a brand new website at: www.artistikim.com you can meet Kim, see examples of her truly unique work, and contact her for an appointment.