Meet Kim of the Mystical Garden studio

 Kim has been sculpting since about 2000, but when she first began she was sculpting on gourds and driftwood.  "I  sculpted whimsical characters on the gourds and did nature scenes and faces on driftwood.  I sold those locally here in Florida. I wanted to expand my collector base so started checking online.  I made a "Fairy Gourd Father"  and wanted to look around ebay for a category I thought I could sell it in . That is when I first found the OOAK fairies. That was about 2003.  I truly couldn't believe my eyes. The first fairies I saw were from Judy of 'Once we were Fairies', 'Fairies in the attic' & 'Emily's Fairies'. There were only a handful selling these delightful pieces at the time. It blew my mind!!!!!  I tossed out my poor homely Fairy Gourd Father and began searching for any information I could on this art form. There really was none back then, no tutorials, video's, etc. I finally found a book from Katherine Dewey called Creating Lifelike figures and I bought a 'fairy making kit' on ebay from  Debbie McCain.  I felt so empowered I had the book, I had my kit, I was going to create a masterpiece". ;)

  I listed my first sculpture in 2004.  I have always started my prices out at 9.95 and at first that's what many sold for.  I wasn't sad or depressed about it, I was excited they sold. People were buying my little people and I could buy more clay and supplies. I felt so honored even at the 9.95 price tag. It was supporting my new obsession. I kept telling my family, my dream is to sculpt sweet innocent little children and make  enough so that I could leave my job which made me miserable. I worked my regular job and sculpted all night everynight, listing as many as possible.  Sleep was rare but I didn't care, I was focused and had a goal. One year later I was able to leave my job, tell the boss off that treated me like crap for all that time and I have never looked back. It's hard work and alot of hours but I am living my dream!!

Who inspires Kim? "I  don't really have any one favorite artist. I love looking at everyones work.  There are so many amazing artists in this "exclusive" community.  I love it when I see a sculpt and  think "how did they do  that?"

 

 

Kim says she  finds that she is a very emotional sculptor, She likes to watch TV and sculpt or listen to music while she works.  "If I am watching the news and it's bad, I can't sculpt.  I guess this may seem odd but before I start on a new piece I say a prayer for guidance with the clay.  When I pick up the clay I generally never have any preconceived notion on what I am going to make.  This makes it exciting for me, something is truly born from the ball of clay".

 Where does Kim sell her work? "I sell almost all my work on ebay but also occassionally will take on commissions. Because of the way I sculpt (no preconceived notion)  Commissions are hard for me.  I am trying to create someone elses vision. I feel allot of pressure from this as if I could never live up to their dream.

  I am thinking of giving Etsy a try in the future".

 

Kim's latest creation (above) is now completed and on Ebay  

She says it would be hard for her to choose a favorite piece because each one is like a family member .  "How can you pick one as the favorite? I do have one that has special meaning and it was purchased by a wonderful lady who still buys my pieces.  It was a very tiny little fairy riding on a Luna Moth.  This was the first piece that I really got a lot of notice for.  Shortly after that piece I was able to leave my job."

 

Where does Kim get her  inspiration? "My family is my biggest inspiration.  There is a tiny piece of each of my 5 children and my husband in every sculpt I make.  I also get allot of inspiration by children in general.  The innocence of a child is what inspires me most, as we grow we lose that special quality.  I hope in someways, my sculptures will freeze in time that  innocence". 

Kim told me she used to be a night sculptor but now with everyone gone during the day, She can sculpt allot then  as  it's quiet and she can concentrate.

What materials and supplies does Kim use? "I use a puppen fimo mix. I mix my own clay because I like a very light skin color that I have never found already packaged, that's consistant. I do all my painting with genesis paints, but have tried everything, this just seems to be the right one for me, it flows". 

  Does she have any tips for new Artists?

"The only tip I think I have that may be any use is to sculpt only from your heart. I realized way back that my vision of a fairy was not the MEGA money sculpts.  The pin ups and nudes that sell for allot. I am fine with that.  I want to create fairytales like something you would see in a vintage book your grandma read to you, I have always stayed true to that, so for me it's no pressure.  I create what I love and am still to this day, honored and grateful for each sculpt I sell no matter what the price is.  Someone wants my artwork for their home, I still get goosebumps from that.  I think if you create from your heart the collectors will come, if you don't your forcing something out and it will become apparent in your art, it's not a true feeling."