Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberlyn Renee.
Kimberlyn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a surrealist pop artist. Though I’ve loved art and creating my whole life, I have no academic training. I actually went to school for business, and got my degree with an emphasis in marketing and management! It wasn’t until I graduated that I started to become disillusioned with the idea of working a “real adult job” and doing the 9-5 grind day in and day out for the rest of my life. I happened to go to an art opening at Soulard Art Gallery in 2023, and one of the lovely resident artists, Earl, told me I should submit to the next call for art. By pure change, the next exhibit was a Pop Art show, and I went home that night and applied. I ended up winning an award in that show, and I always think back to that as the moment that gave me the courage to go all in and focus on my art as a full time career instead of just a hobby.
Since then I’ve shown in multiple galleries in St. Louis and beyond, as well as participating in art fairs. 2026 has been a busy year already, some recent achievements I’m proud of are having my first two solo exhibits, giving my first artist talk, showing my work at Saks Fifth Avenue and Duane Reed Gallery and being nominated for St. Louis Artist of the month! I still consider myself at the beginning of my journey, and am constantly looking for new opportunities, experiences, and ways to grow as an artist!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My biggest struggle has always been with getting out of my own way so to speak. I feel so privileged to be able to wake up every day and do what I love. When you’re doing something you’re genuinely passionate about, whatever little roadblocks pop up are easier to overcome.
That being said, what I get tripped up on the most is just not having enough faith in myself, being afraid of failure, being scared to put myself out there and take risks. I am getting better and making a conscious effort to be more confident. It sounds straight out of a schlocky self help book, but one practice I’ve found helpful lately has been something called rejection exposure therapy. Basically, you just apply to anything and everything, put yourself out there, and try to get told “no” as much as possible. It sounds counterintuitive but this has been a huge confidence booster for me, as I’ve been amazed at the amount of times that the “no” I was sure I was going to get was actually as “yes” or even just a “maybe” or being offered something totally different than what I thought I originally wanted. Even the “nos” I do get start to sting a little bit less, as I try to use every rejection as something to learn from.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a surrealist pop artist, and work mostly in acrylic paint. The subjects and themes of my work are exactly what they sound like, a little bit of pop art, a little bit of surrealism, and a little bit of a blend of both! One of my favorite things to include in my work is the use of fluorescent (blacklight reactive) and phosphorescent (glow in the dark) mediums. Aside from adding that little extra something to my work, these mediums allow me to turn one singular painting into two or three different paintings, as it changes under different lighting. Sometimes I even experiment with hidden objects and messages!
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Friends and community are everything! I would not be where I am today without the encouragement and advice from the amazing friends I’ve found in the St. Louis art scene. I see every new friend as someone that can teach me something new, inspire me, or even just give me a new perspective!
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I am constantly “doing my homework”, going to local art events, talking to galleries and other artists, and religiously writing everything pertinent down.
Finally, never stop creating.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kimberlynreneeart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kreneeart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimberlynReneeArt
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeQpYSIhcvQ&t=899s
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimberlyn.renee
