Kimmy Hogan
Kimmy Hogan is an artist who expands on the idea of what a digital piece of artwork can look like, inviting nature and soft colour into her artistic scopes.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson I Photography: Images courtesy of Kimmy Hogan
Goldie by Kimmy Hogan, limited edition of 30 per size. Photo - courtesy of Kimmy Hogan.
Splendour by Kimmy Hogan, limited edition of 30 per size. Photo - courtesy of Kimmy Hogan.
“You don’t have to have a lot of followers to be ‘discovered’ – if you create something good, it will rise to the top and it will be seen!” says Kimmy Hogan. Photo - courtesy of Kimmy Hogan.
The digital landscape is an engaging medium for most, it’s new and evolving — and within that is fear of authenticity. However, as Kimmy reflects, both skill sets are about creating layers and depth; whether with paint or a digital pencil. But, with one big difference. “I create my digital artworks doing the front layers and details first and work my way towards the background,” Kimmy explains, “whereas traditional painting is completely the opposite!”
The artist works with illustration and sketches to create the composition and then redraws the images loosely by ‘hand’ with her digital tools. Kimmy adds, “I layer shapes, experiment with scale and play with colour palettes until everything just works.”
“I create my digital artworks doing the front layers and details first and work my way towards the background – whereas traditional painting is completely the opposite!” says Kimmy Hogan. Pictured - Flourish by Kimmy Hogan, limited edition of 30 per size. Photo - courtesy of Kimmy Hogan.
“I prefer the natural hand-drawn look over the perfection that digital could bring. It’s the evidence of human touch that gives digital artwork a soul.”
“I prefer the natural hand-drawn look over the perfection that digital could bring. It's the evidence of human touch that gives digital artwork a soul.” says Kimmy Hogan. Photo - courtesy of Kimmy Hogan.
Splendour by Kimmy Hogan, limited edition of 30 per size. Photo - courtesy of Kimmy Hogan.
Kimmy’s day-to-day life is one big balance, juggling three young boys and her art career, she values the ability to be organised and run her business as efficiently as possible. Everything has a system and process to run super-smooth.
Her background in the commercial world has helped refined this, as a graphic designer Kimmy already knew how to market herself and understand her clients. Graphic designing for over a decade also gave the artist the technical advantage, understanding how colour and texture can be depicted in the digital landscape.
“You don’t have to have a lot of followers to be ‘discovered’ – if you create something good, it will rise to the top and it will be seen!”
The artist describes her art as “drawings” as she lets her lines move freely, resisting the urge to neaten up the digital images. The artworks stem from concepts and ideas in Kimmy’s mind, compelled by poetic notions of flowers and nature, before drifting onto a colour palette, and then a sketch on paper. The artist shares she often looks back to travel photos to capture a moment, that become a fleeting moment in the artworks, represented in line and colour.
“Don’t go looking for what you should create next – success is creating something that no one else is doing,”is Kimmy’s advice for artist’s starting out. Photo - courtesy of Kimmy Hogan.
Dawn by Kimmy Hogan, limited edition of 30 per size. Photo - courtesy of Kimmy Hogan.
These may be the skills that provide the artist with her successes, but Kimmy also shares that she relies on her own thoughts and concepts, avoiding popular trends or subjects. The artist wholeheartedly believes in being herself, not looking at what other people are doing, and of course — being original. “Don’t go looking for what you should create next – success is creating something that no one else is doing,” she muses.
“I’m getting better at following my heart rather than overthinking what people might be wanting or expecting. All of my artworks hold a special meaning to me; they are created with huge consideration, thought and feel.”