Colourful Abstracts, GQ and Harper”s BAZAAR: An Interview With Emily Klima

Emily Klima is an artist based in the United States. Her paintings have been featured in solo and group exhibitions, Candy Floss Magazine, as well as television programs such as HBO's Orange Is the New Black and Divorce.

Klima's abstract compositions are full of energy, created with drips and splatters. Layered bursts of vibrant color—mixed media such as typography and other media, such as resin and tape. 

Here she talks about her inspiration and how she transforms an idea into a physical piece.

Emily Klima.

SAH: What made you venture from the fashion publication industry to painting?

EK: I had majored in Graphic Design in art school and I essentially “hung up” the paint brushes and other fine art mediums by my junior year. After graduation, I naturally fell into a design position and very gratefully had a wonderful career(in the 90’s) as an art director at some of the top fashion publications, such as GQ and Harper”s BAZAAR—I loved it!

Many years and 2 kids later, while browsing art in Chelsea and really admiring the myriad of abstract artworks; It hit me, “I went to art school and I can paint!” However, I didn’t really know the first thing about painting in the abstract. I was traditionally taught to draw and paint the figure and still life objects.

So, I decided to take a class that summer and that was that—I literally have not stopped since. I still do some freelance design work, I especially love logo design and typography and its influence tends to show up in my paintings as well.

Emily Klima. Unbecome.

SAH: What kind of impact do you hope that your work has? Aside from the message, is it enough that your art just be beautiful?

EK: That is the million dollar question! My art has evolved and changed over the years and I hope it continues to. When a person says, they don’t understand my art or art in general, my response is “how does it make you feel?” are they having any kind of reaction to it. Does it make you want to look closer, to see, read and understand whatever subtle messages I am trying to convey? My work is widely appealing to look at-yes, but, they whisper too.

SAH: Do you remember the earliest memory of when you wanted to do what you do today?

EK: I was artistically nurtured at a very young age and I always wanted to be doing something creative.

Becoming an artist as a lifestyle, probably in the last 15 years. Becoming an artist for a living...I’m still working on that part.

SAH: Where do you get your inspiration from?

EK: Definitely life experience, nostalgic memories and always language...just words.

SAH: How do you go about transforming an idea like that into a physical piece?

EK: Depends on how loud I want the whisper or idea to be. I start out with an idea and it rarely ends up like what I had imagined.

Emily Klima. Impasse.

SAH: Is it possible for you to separate your work from your life?

EK: Yes, but, I’m still always thinking about it!

SAH: What is your main mode for selling original work now?

In order of what works for me: Repeat collectors and word of mouth, Newsletter, Facebook/Instagram, online galleries and Art Fairs.

Emily Klima. Me too.

SAH: What are you watching, listening to or following that you would recommend?

EK: If we are talking AppleTV and Hulu: Ted Lasso(the best!!), 9 perfect strangers(enjoyed), Killing Eve(wtf?!) love a good documentary too!

Podcasts: Good Life Project, Pulling The Thread, Design Matters, Great Woman Artists, Chase Jarvis Show

Too many IG accounts to list.

SAH: What advice would you give somebody who has just started their artistic career?

EK: Stay in YOUR lane, make YOUR art, find YOUR method of sharing it with the world.

You will not be for everyone. Find and fine-tune YOUR audience. Be fearless and deserving!

Actually, I still need this advice-LOL!