The Jessamine Journal: Nicholasville, Kentucky

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Stroke of genius
Doodle of a cross and tree inspires Wilmore artist to create exhibit
By Mike Moore
mmoore@jessaminejournal.com
February 3, 2010

Saint Francis of Assisi once said, “I preach the Gospel at all times ... and sometimes I use words.” That adage holds true for Kimberly Riggs. The Wilmore artist, 22, kicked off her month-long art display at the Jessamine County Public Library by branching out of her comfort zone. “This show is going to be very different from anything I’ve done,” she said. “My previous things have gone anywhere from plain air, which is painting outdoors while I look straight at the object I’m painting, or painting from a picture that I took myself.”

Instead of having a physical object to look at, Riggs looked inside herself, down into her deep-rooted Christian faith, to draw inspiration for the February exhibit.

“I’m going to be showing a series of seven paintings,” she said. “They’re going to be showing scenes of Jesus’ life in a more abstract way.”

“They are all (landscape) scenes,” she added. “One of them is a tree in the shape of a cross with a dark sky behind it, and the rising sun is behind the cross.”

Riggs said she didn’t draw inspiration from one particular book in the Bible, but rather a collection of different Biblical stories.

“It’s more than just the Gospels,” she said. “My first one starts with Isaiah and he’s writing about the coming of the Messiah, but they’re still in darkness, so he’s looking forward and seeing a glimmer of light on the horizon. And it (the seven-piece display) ends with his (Jesus’) glorious return. So it’s focused around who he is and not necessarily his life.”

Getting started

Riggs reserved her February date about a year and a half ago and began compiling the works about four months ago. Prior to painting the pieces, she first took out a pencil and drawing pad.

“I was doing some sketches and working on the idea,” she said.

And it all started with a doodle, Riggs said.

“My inspiration was a doodle of the cross and tree, which has become my main focus,” she said. “I wanted to do a series solely dedicated to God. So that was partially where the inspiration came from. I didn’t look through much scripture for the inspiration. It came from my background in a Christian home.”

So after coming up with the idea, Riggs, went to work from her makeshift studio in the living room of the Wilmore apartment she shares with her sister, Jenny.

Family’s influence

Jenny Riggs, 27, has watched her younger sister’s artistic talents bloom over the years.

“It’s been fun watching her grow with her ability,” Jenny Riggs said. “I remember when we were little, she and I would doodle and draw pictures and stuff.”

Jenny Riggs laughed when she spoke of her sister’s living room studio.

“For the moment, yes (she’s fine with it),” Jenny said with a smirk. “I wouldn’t want to live this way for a couple years.”

Kimberly Riggs recognized the importance of her family and friends as she pursues her dream.

“I’ve gotten a lot of support,” she said. “I’ve received a lot of encouragement, especially from my family.”

Though the support is there, Kimberly Riggs also knows that the life of an artist can be bumpy, but she does not classify herself as a starving artist.

“For the most part, no,” she said. “I’m working full-time in a different job, which is providing some income. I have lots of good friends (who help).”

What’s next?

Kimberly Riggs said she’s hoping to display her artwork at different venues locally.

“I’m still searching that (future) out,” she said. “I know that there is a gallery in Nicholasville, but I haven’t researched it much, but I would like to get my art up in there.”

For more information on Kimberly Riggs’ artwork, visit www.kimberlyriggs.webs.com.

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