Meet Kim Sielbeck | Illustrator, Painter, and Surface Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kim Sielbeck and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kim, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I majored in illustration at the School of Visual Arts, and for me, the dream was to always be a freelance illustrator, working on editorial illustrations and working with big commercial brands. However, developing a style and gaining the confidence to start a business took several years and a lot of patience. I worked at a textile design studio full-time in New York City for almost eight years, which allowed me to create, learn, and pursue freelance illustration on nights and weekends. I was also in a band during that time, learned how to sail, and did a ton of things that would ultimately give me the confidence to branch out on my own.

When I decided to start my business and commit to it full-time, I left NYC. It was too expensive and too distracting for me to buckle down and focus solely on my artwork. Fortunately, my sister had an extra room in her house in Wahiawa, Hawai’i, and said I could stay for a few months to see how things panned out. I’d saved about six month safety net, too, to give me some peace of mind.

Once I started dedicating all of my energy towards my new business, the universe seemed to hear me. Everything seemed to take off at once. Things have ebbed and flowed since then (the nature of being a freelance artist) but It’s been an amazing ride!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is bright, bold, and optimistic. I always say that I’m drawing the world I want to be live in, which is full of colors, joy, and pattern. My work is often inspired by place, and I tend to incorporate a lot of native and endemic flora and fauna into pieces.

My biggest struggles have come from moving around. When I first moved to Hawai’i from NYC, it took some time to find a community to fit into. Having a group of fellow business owners and artists has always been important to me to bounce ideas around. Once I discovered the incredible creative scene in Honolulu, I felt empowered and inspired to do my best work.

When I got married in 2021, I moved to California due to my husband’s job. Starting from scratch in the Mojave Desert, away from the community and plants and island that I loved so dearly, was very difficult. However, it let me dive deep to figure out why I make art and what I want to achieve, and I’ve grown so much in the process. I’ve also fostered a new community that’s helped me grow and bloom. I’m a better business owner and artist for it, and I wouldn’t take it back!

It’s always good to shake things up and to embrace change, even though it can be terribly hard. This goes for life, as well as art, as well as business.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in the Mojave Desert, in the Antelope Valley, which is about an hour and a half north of LA. The Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve boasts over eight miles of trails that wind through wildflower-covered hills. It’s so inspiring in the springtime, where you can find me posted up on the side of a trail with a sketchbook. The Museum of Art and History is located in Lancaster, CA, and is a newly renovated museum with great contemporary art shows. Prime Desert Woodland Preserve is one of my other favorite places year-round to draw Joshua trees and other native plants.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Sarah Caudle! She’s the one who put my name forth for this article, and I owe so much to her. When I first moved to Hawai’i, I met up with Sarah, who within a few minutes of chatting offered to share a studio at the Blaisdell Hotel in Honolulu, HI. We instantly clicked, and even though our art is so different, we’ve been able to support each other and cheer each other on over the years. We’ve watched each other grow, struggle, and evolve, and I have the feeling we’ll be in each other’s lives for a long time. She’s always had a strong work ethic, a big heart to help those around her, and a drive to grow and foster community. I continue to be inspired by her every day!

Website: kimsielbeck.com

Instagram: @kimsielbeck

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimsielbeck

Image Credits
Artist portrait and Ace Hotel Mural photographed by Guap Soto (https://www.guapsoto.com/)