Justin Kim, 44, paints mixed media landscapes on paper. They serve, he says, as visual records of places that have resonated with him on a personal, emotional and visual level. Included are paintings of the California high desert, Sierra Nevada, New York City and places throughout New England.
He mixes different styles and techniques in each piece, he says, so the paintings feel like collages
Kim received a bachelor’s degree from Yale and a master’s degree from the American University in Washington, D.C. He’s also taught at Yale, Dartmouth University, Smith College and Deep Springs College in California. The recipient of several residencies, he has exhibited regionally and nationally. He splits his time between Northampton and New York City.
Hampshire Life: What is your creative process like?
Justin Kim: I usually start with a sketch — a composite of different parts of the scene. Next, I take lots of reference photos (everything from a long view of mountains and clouds to a pebble near my foot). I project these images onto the painting surface to start the process.
I’m usually working on four to 10 paintings at the same time — each takes anywhere from two months to a year to complete.
H.L.: What will the viewers see?
J.K.: Viewers see big areas of watery color, schematic drawing and repeating patterns, all superimposed and combined in one piece.
H.L.: How do you know when a work is done?
J.K.: I know the work is done when I run out of information that’s going to add to the larger piece. Some internal dowsing rod says “enough” and I stop.
H.L.: What did you do today that relates to your art?
J.K.: Today I started work on the biggest piece so far in this series — approximately 7.5 x 10 feet — four times the size on which I’m usually working.
H.L.: What obstacles do you face, if any?
J.K.: I’m trying to recognize the things that intimidate me and to face them head on. That becomes part of my process as I work every day in the studio.
— Kathleen Mellen
Justin Kim’s exhibit “Questions of Travel: Recent Landscapes” is on view through April 2 at the A.P.E. Gallery, 126 Main St. in Northampton. There will be an artist’s reception Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.