Meet Kimberly Ort | Artist, Seeking Equality for All People

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Ort and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, how do you think about risk?
I think taking risks is one of the scariest things we do as humans. I think we are wired to find comfort, stability and predictability. Yet I think by me taking risks in my life, has provided me the personal growth and foundation that was needed to evolve into who I am today as an artist. I decided to get a divorce in 2012 after being married for 16yrs and having two small children. I was a stay at home mom and had begun to start painting mainly pet portraits for friends and those referred to me. Before having children, I had only had one job ever in my life as an accountant. So, one day I decided to take the greatest risk by choosing to go back to work, find a new path for my life and support my kids. Interesting enough, I fell into sales doing recruiting in Atlanta for those that are in the accounting and finance field. Full time job, full time mom, so my art hobby had to be put on the ‘weekend activity list’.

Now to the good part……Remarried, work now part time in the same recruiting job, yet my time for art has increased immensely to the point that I paint more than I ever did before. My risks in what subject matter I chose to paint is what I believe sets me apart from other artists. I don’t care what people think of my art, I don’t care if it sells or not, as what matters most to me is that my purpose as a human being on this earth is reflected in my art.

I mainly paint now abstract figuratives of those that identify as either non-binary, transgender, and people of color. My personal mantra is one of equality for all people and having my art reflect the beauty of all bodies whether they different from what is considered normal or in the box is what I believe is to be my purpose here on this planet.

I am convinced that if I never took that risk in 2012 to change my life, that this path would have never opened up to me and I wouldn’t have been brave enough to be confident in my choice of what to paint.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been painting now for about 15 yrs and my work has constantly evolved. I began as a pet portrait artist and I do really think that my passion for art began as a ‘calling’. It’s one of those spiritual occurrences that are very hard to explain, but when it happens to you, it’s like someone tapping you on the shoulder constantly nudging you to do something that you feel you are not qualified to do. Luckily, I followed that calling.

As mentioned, it began as a hobby, pet portraits. Since working part time in my sales job I have had more time to paint and discover what is the medium that I prefer as well as the subject matter. I spent years stumbling along trying different mediums, methods etc and I recently feel like I am home. I mainly work now with mixed media. My true love is gesso to creative texture, energy and movement. I mainly now work with figurative models and use acrylic paint, charcoal and pastels.

I do think Instagram has been an amazing resource for artists to connect with other artists and find inspiration, community and friendship. I have recently in the last couple of years started to sell my work directly online via IG to collectors and that has been so rewarding.

As mentioned in the earlier question, I get most excited when I find a new muse/model to work with. Discovering and partnering with transgender models was truly the best feeling and it’s really impossible to describe how honored I am when they trust me with their photos and that is something I never take for granted.

I do think we all as artists have our highs and lows and I think that is just part of the process. Not to get discouraged with the artist block shows up, but to see it as an opportunity of where I should be open to going to next.

I guess the most important thing that I believe sets me apart is who I am and why I am painting. I don’t want to sounds like a PSA, but I feel that my job is to swim agains the current artistically and paint people that need a voice.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I think I would start by going to the Ponce City market area and Krog street. There is so much culture, diversity and energy in that part of Atlanta which to me is the heart of the city. My favorite restaurant in that area currently is Amore Amore. The owners of that Italian restaurant have created an atmosphere that is fun, warm, visually stimulating in addition to the food being 100% authentic Italian. As far as shopping, I would definitely hit the Junkmans Daughter and all the thrift stores in the Little Five Points area.

I live in East Cobb and I am very close to downtown Woodstock, Marietta and Roswell. Each of those downtown areas are very unique and offer great food, window shopping and music. My favorite restaurants currently are Vin25 in Roswell, Reel in downtown Woodstock, and Two Birds Taphouse in Marietta.

I also think we have terrific breweries here in the Atlanta area with my top two favorites being Reformation in Woodstock and Gate City in Roswell.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The person that is my greatest inspiration is someone that I do want to keep anonymous in order to protect their identity. Someone very close to me is transgender as well as identifying as non-binary, and having the gift of witnessing their transition was something that gave me firsthand experience as to what true bravery looks like as well as living ones truth fully. I was truly awakened inside and educated about a community that needs to be represented positively in this society. Because of how my view changed about how all minorities are treated in society, I have personally evolved and have taken this as an opportunity to be an advocate. Being surrounded by people that are brave inspires me daily to be a better person and a better artist.

Website: bit.ly/kimberlyort

Instagram: @kimberlyortart