Introduction by Krysia Jopek

In the summer of 2017, I had the privilege of seeing Kim (Howlett) Papa’s paintings for the first time. It was love at first sight, and I chose three of her paintings to be featured in the Fall 2017 issue of Diaphanous.

I’m drawn to her work because she paints poetry—combines sculpture with music and air; calligraphy, visual syntax, and aesthetic vocabulary; architectural space, emotional and psychological reality, and the unit of brushstroke.

I continue to be impressed by her paintings that embody her creative process. She is first-rate. Her paintings are a gift to viewers. Please enjoy eighteen of her works of art followed by her Artist Statement and bio.

Congratulations, Kim, on this amazing virtual show!

June 29, 2018

Valkyrie
water soluble graphite
18 x 24 inches
©2017


Midwife
water soluble graphite
18 x 24 inches
©2017


All That I am
water soluble graphite
10 x 14 inches
©2017


Altarpiece
water soluble graphite
18 x 24 inches
©2017


Gondwana
water soluble graphite
18 x 24 inches
©2017


Eclipsed Intensions
water soluble graphite
10 x 10 inches
©2017


Ataata
water soluble graphite
18 x 18 inches
©2017


Falstaff
water soluble graphite
18 x 24 inches
©2018

Divergent Boundaries
water soluble graphite
18 x 24 inches
©2017

My Girl is Retro
water soluble graphite
18 x 24 inches
©2017

Internal Silence
water soluble graphite
6 x 12 inches
©2017

Song of the Katydid
water soluble graphite
18 x 24 inches
©2017

Echo Location
water soluble graphite
16 x 20 inches
©2017

Separating Major Elements
water soluble graphite
18 x 24 inches
©2018


Diatonic Melody
water soluble graphite
18 x 24 inches
©2017


Scent of a Woman
water soluble graphite
11 x 14 inches
©2017


Archaean
water soluble graphite
12 x 18 inches
©2017


Embryonic
water soluble graphite
18 x 24 inches
©2017

ARTIST STATEMENT
Kim’s philosophy of composition is to abstract a concept to the lowest denominator and reintroduce key images or strokes whose repetition expand upon the image. Much of her work is black and white, which she attributes to her Korean heritage—not as a conscious choice, but rather a genetic outcome. Hangul, the Korean alphabet is comprised of lines and circles; an either or; a yes or no. Kim’s art takes that and allows for variation; insists that lines are organic and circles are not static. Color is added sparingly more as punctuation.

Her art is conceptual. She began painting two years ago when it became clear to her that it was necessary to take that which she had secreted away so carefully would crumble and disappear – that she would disappear if not expressed.

Kim’s favorite artists are Henry Moore, Joan Miró, Alexander Calder, Franz Kline, Cy Twombly, Jackson Pollock, Joan Mitchell, William De Kooning, David Mankin, Struan Teague, Arshile Gorky, Gerhard Richter, Bernd Harke, Rothko, Kokichi Umezaki, Kitty Sabtier, Somluk Pantiboon, and Northwest Coast Indian art.
Kim is currently working on creating a collection of symbolic scars, which will generate into masks. It is her hope that the series will speak to a larger group of people that have survived major trauma.

BIO
Kim Papa was born in Long Beach, CA, lived in southern California for most of her life and moved to the northern part of the state 35 years ago. She lives with her husband Joe and two cats. She is the mother of two children, has four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She has held various jobs ranging from work in a bakery, a bank, a computer company and was a graphic designer for two different state agencies. She now works for a state agency that manages diverse fish, wildlife and plant resources as well as the habitats they are dependent upon.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design with a minor in Anthropology. She has an insatiable curiosity for language, writing systems, symbolism and masks that she used as the basis of a class she designed and taught at a northern California university.

photo by Kai Yan Lok
©2016

Kim’s paintings are available for sale. If interested, email her at: [email protected]

Comments ( 20 )

  1. James Ilg
    Amazing works from a talented artist. The pieces speak stories, like untold secrets aching to be released. Art at it's best!
    • Krysia Jopek
      Thank you for viewing Kim's amazing work, James, and for your lovely comment! I love the analogy to stories and secrets . . .
  2. Linda Warkentin
    "Diatonic Melody" is beautiful! Linda Warkentin, CDFW Region 3 (Stockton)
    • Krysia Jopek
      I love "Diatonic Melody" quite a lot also. It's for sale. If you're interested, you should contact Kim at [email protected]. I am the proud owner of two of her paintings : )
  3. David Moore
    Wow, Kim, this is very fun stuff. Many great pieces. Thanks much for sharing. Each of the pieces draws me in with some point of entry. Perhaps, it is the façade of simplicity that becomes more layered with meaning for me. Even though line drawings, many essentially become 3-dimensional from my perspective (Divergent Boundaries, Altarpiece are good examples of that). The addition of some red on occasion with the black tones is quite evocative. Tho the single hued flows well with your intent to explore, “curiosity for language, writing systems, symbolism and masks.” I was heartily intrigued with your statement about your process. Great statement that bears out truth in the art itself. You are good! Congrats on the new showing of your works with Diaphanous Press. I very much appreciate (and identify with) your stoking the hearth of creativity and making it live. Much cheer, David Moore
    • Krysia Jopek
      Thank you, David, for this lovely and spot-on response to Kim's paintings and Artist Statement. I find the paintings to take on a 3-D sculptural quality also and have no idea how she does that! I hope to meet her someday and watch her paint! She is truly an inspiration--as a person and an artist.
  4. Shahar Jones
    Amazing work Kim!!!!! I think my favorites are between Ataata and My Girl is Retro, although all are amazing. Some of them even remind me of Kandinsky for the use of shapes. Thank you for sharing. Shahar Jones
    • Krysia Jopek
      Thank you, Shahar! Yes, Kim's work reminds me, also, of Kandinsky and some other abstract expressionists. It's obvious that she knows the art tradition to be able to further it!
  5. Mia Bianchi
    Congratulations on being the featured artist! Your art is captivating and beautiful – I will be sure to share the page. Best, Mia
    • Krysia Jopek
      Thank you, Mia, for checking out Kim's exquisite art show! Thank you also for sharing the page!
    • Krysia Jopek
      Thank you for commenting, Mia! Thank you for sharing Kim's work!
  6. Jim Starr
    Congratulations! That is quite an honor. It is interesting to see the piece and then read the name and then go back and see how the artist’s interpretations are reflected in the piec. Which comes first the name or the image on the paper? When I look at the piece titled “Midwife” I saw water flowing forward. I see it! Excellent. Jim Starr
    • Krysia Jopek
      Thank you, Jim, for your comment and appreciation of Kim's work. I love "Midwife," too. I know that Kim paints the images and titles them later but has an idea of what she is going to paint ahead of time most of the time. This is my understanding from her sharing a bit about her process.
  7. Ashley Martell
    Omgosh!!!!!!! I just got a chance to look at your work and read the article!!!!!! I love your pieces and am so impressed. It's amazing how some feel so delicate and calming, while others are loud and strong! I guess it's all in the flick of the wrist. AND that photo of you at the end - so beautiful! It's your entire personality in one photo, love it all. Ashley
    • Krysia Jopek
      Thank you for the lovely comment, Ashley--for speaking about the range of emotion Kim is able to evoke with her wrist!
  8. Steve
    Kim, Its has been so interesting watching your process evolve and seeing these really interesting and eye-catching pieces emerge. Great stuff. Congratulations and keep going.
    • Krysia Jopek
      Great comment, Steve, from someone who has seen Kim's work blossom into an amazing virtual show!
  9. Gwendolyn Whitaker
    Kim Papa, I am taken with "Midwife" and then "Scent of a Woman" in their swirling dances! Balance!
    • Krysia Jopek
      Gwen, thank you for checking out Kim's beautiful paintings! Yes, they dance, swirl, and show equipoise : )
  10. Sinaida Wolf
    What an outstandingly wonderful Hand she has, all paintings are done in a bewitchingly liquid manner and the images guide the beholder to feel lively and inspired! Just brilliant and amazing !!!!