Nina Kim Creates

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Nina Kim Creates Oil Pastel Artist

I think I was trying to do too many things. It was starting to divert my attention from the most important thing: painti...
09/05/2026

I think I was trying to do too many things. It was starting to divert my attention from the most important thing: painting. I’m refocusing.

Art shows and juried exhibitions are a key part of my one year plan to help build visibility and benchmark my work as an...
08/28/2026

Art shows and juried exhibitions are a key part of my one year plan to help build visibility and benchmark my work as an artist. But keeping track of every prospectus, eligibility rule, juror background, entry fee, and deadline can get overwhelming fast.

This past week, I used AI to build a custom Art Exhibition Submission Planner.

Instead of getting lost in the fine print of multiple calls for entry, having this organized plan helped me:
* Track all key dates and submission deadlines in one place
* Instantly see which paintings met specific eligibility criteria
* Research judges and jurors
* Make smart, budget-conscious decisions based on entry costs
Because the system was laid out so clearly, I was able to submit work to 4 different shows in just the last week.

If you want to create your own submission calendar, drop the word PROMPT in the comments below and I will personally send you the exact prompt I used.

These rocks are from a ridge on the California coast. Just beyond them was a sweeping vista of the ocean but this little...
08/27/2026

These rocks are from a ridge on the California coast. Just beyond them was a sweeping vista of the ocean but this little vignette of the morning light hitting these rocks really struck me. They were on this inaccessible formation by a hiking path and so were undisturbed by people. The abstract shapes created by the shadow and light made me want to capture this in pastel.

This year I took my first trip to Big Sur and drove down the California coast. I was so struck by the vivid colors as th...
08/26/2026

This year I took my first trip to Big Sur and drove down the California coast. I was so struck by the vivid colors as the light raked over the cliffs and winding roads. In this painting, I wanted to try and capture the warmth of that California sun.

Building an art business while working a 9 to 5 and raising a family is all about finding pockets of momentum. Sometimes...
08/26/2026

Building an art business while working a 9 to 5 and raising a family is all about finding pockets of momentum. Sometimes that means heading out the door in work clothes knowing every hour funded the supplies waiting at home. Sometimes it means hopping on the walking pad to get steps in while watching painting demos on the screen.

One of the biggest shifts for me recently has been learning to let paintings “marinate.”

My husband built me a works in progress wall in the studio, and it has completely changed my process. When I am actively painting, my eyes get so close to the details that I lose the big picture. Having a space where paintings can just sit on the shelf allows me to see them with fresh eyes every time I walk past.

That is exactly what happened with the forest landscape in today’s slides. After letting it rest on the wall for a few weeks, the areas that needed more depth and clarity became obvious. I took it back to the easel, reworked the values and light, and brought it to a place that feels complete.

Progress here isn’t about having uninterrupted hours every single day. It is about staying curious in the margins, learning through study, and giving the work the time and space it needs to evolve.

Do you finish pieces in one burst, or do you let them rest before the final touches?

I wanted to share my most recent finished painting with you all! I love a moody forest. It was one of those moments wher...
08/25/2026

I wanted to share my most recent finished painting with you all! I love a moody forest. It was one of those moments where it was so peaceful and quiet, I almost felt like I was intruding on something magical.

Today was completely packed. Between working all day, managing family obligations, and taking care of the yard, it would...
08/18/2026

Today was completely packed. Between working all day, managing family obligations, and taking care of the yard, it would have been easy to call it a night. But studio time is not another chore on the list. It is where I get to play.

Throughout the day, I listened to Lisa Congdon’s book, Find Your Artistic Voice. Seeing my daughter’s colorful drawings spread across the floor drove that message home even further. Children create without fear, rules, or second guessing. They simply make art for the joy of it.

I brought that exact childlike energy into my painting session tonight. I experimented with a squeegee to move pigment across the board, leaned into loose textures, and let curiosity take over.

How do you stay in a playful mindset when life gets busy?

Day 23: Painting and experimenting!
08/14/2026

Day 23: Painting and experimenting!

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Wolf, WY

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