I'm a full-time professional artist.
I'm a teaching artist with over 30 years experience.
I teach workshops in person, locally, nationally and on Zoom.
I’ve taught at colleges, universities, conferences, retreats, and currently at MECA and Colby College.
I travel as a visiting artist and an artist in residence.
I mentor emerging artists one-on-one through consultations.
I’ve learned as a student, through life experience and by making many mistakes.
I strive to inspire, cultivate creativity and share the joy of making something with your hands, head and heart.
ART ACCELERATOR on ZOOM
Tuesdays, Jan 7 - Feb 25, 6-8pm EST
This intensive workshop is designed for artists who want to create a sustainable life making art. Each week, we'll examine a critical topic every artist must focus on to advance creatively and professionally. Working with a cohort of like-minded peers, participants will break down (seemingly) monumental tasks into manageable weekly assignments and engage in a learn-do-get feedback loop that will bring clarity and accountability to the creative process and studio practice. $250-. Max participants 11. Email to register.
upcycled fashion @ Maine College of Art
Sat-Sun, Feb 1-2, 9am-5pm
Create wearable art with recycled materials and leftover fabrics! Work to design and construct clothing, adornments, accessories, sculptures, and anything wearable from functional to far out. There will be a plethora of recycled materials provided that you can work with or you're welcome to bring your own. Students will learn basic hand and machine sewing skills and the confidence to cut up old garments to upcycle them into something new. Info
upcycled Denim @ Greene Block & Studios
Saturday, Feb 15, 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
Create wearable art with recycled blue jeans! Work with artist Kim Bernard to design and construct clothing, tote bags, hats, accessories, anything wearable from functional to far out. There will be a plethora of recycled denim provided that you can work with or you’re welcome to bring your own. *Participants are welcome to come for the morning or afternoon or all day. Info
green to-go @ Waterfall arts
Sat, Feb 22, 9am-5pm
Ditch the single use and go eco-chic! In this one day upcycling workshop, participants will create their To-Go kit using all recycled materials and leave with a one-of-a-kind lunch bag, food wrapper, cloth napkin, spork and shopping tote bag. Info
ART BIZ BASICS @ Maine College of Art
Sat-Sun, March 8-9, 9am-5pm
In this crash course we’ll tackle the essential info every artist-craftsperson-maker-artisan must know to be a small, creative business: artist-gallery relationships, banking, business plan, business structure, contracts, commissions, copyright, federal and state tax ID’s, insurance, marketing, money management, permits, sales, taxes and time management. Kim will tackle these must-know business topics with interactive exercises and a bit of humor. Info
Intro to mending: Sew what?! @ Maine College of Art
Sat-Sun, March 15-16, 9am-5pm
Bring your clothes in need of mending: ripped, torn, too short, too long, too tight, too loose. We will use instructor-supplied sewing machines and hand sewing to fix them up and make them right. Come learn basic hand and machine sewing skills, as well as a variety of techniques to repair and upgrade the clothing. Students will gain, not only a sense of confidence in mending, but will see mending as creative expression. Info
GRANT WRITING @ Maine College of Art
Sat, March 29, 9am-5pm
In this intensive crash course participants will learn: where to search for grants, how to choose a grant to apply for, how to write a compelling proposal, create a budget, and select images that will make your proposal stand out. Bernard will tackle these must-know grant topics with interactive exercises and humor. Participants will actually begin the grant writing process and get real time feedback. Info
DO YOU NEED A MENTOR?
Are you grappling with how to…
Become Inspired
Get into the Studio
Develop Self-Discipline
How to Overcome Creative Block
Develop Your Creative Process
Feedback on Work in Process
Advice on Technique or Materials
Professional Development
Where to Show Your Art
Perhaps one-on-one consultations are right for you. I've been mentoring a handful of individuals through monthly phone consultations and I have to say their growth astounds me! This process is highly individualized, for some there will be assigned exercises, tasks and studio work. For others suggested readings, reflections, journaling and museum field trips. Most say that just knowing "Kim is going to call me next month" is just enough of a nudge to get them going. If any of this resonates with you, if you're struggling and can't quite figure out how to break out or if you're ready to step it up and work toward your full creative potential, then email me and I'll send you more info about consultations.
DAILY ART PROMPTS
Pick a card, any card and jumpstart your creativity with 15 minute Daily Art Prompts. Don't think too hard, just pick a random prompt and engage in an art activity that will encourage creativity & flow. You determine the materials and size. There's no judgment and no critique. Each deck contains 25 - 4"x6" postcard size cards that can be mailed if you choose to. Choose from 2D Realistic and/or 2D Abstract decks and order through ETSY.