Guest blogger: Candace Middleton

This is an interview I did with Kim A. Flodin. She is an artist, activist and Ambassador of Love. As I listened to her story, I had a feeling you would be as inspired as I was.

Q: What is your name, age, and are you married?

Hi, my name is Kim A. Flodin, I’m 54, and not married but in a fantastic committed relationship.

Q: Where are you from and do you have children?

I grew up and lived in Minnesota until my late 40s and while I never had children of my own, I am blessed with a demanding and adorable wiener dog, my furbaby named Dexter, whom I love with all my heart.

Q: Where did your love for art come from?

I’ve always been a doodler. I grew up in a small town and the local drugstore was two blocks away from our house; I remember being SO excited whenever they would get any sort of new art supplies…pencils, crayons, paper, and I would love spending time drawing just for fun as a kid.

Q: Where did you learn how to draw?

I don’t have much formal training.  I had an art class in high school, and the teacher told me about three days before graduation that I had talent and should consider taking more art classes, however, life got in the way and I never had the inclination to follow through.

Q: What do you like best about drawing?

Seeing what I’ve created when it’s done. That’s my favorite part. I have no idea where the art comes from or how it happens, and many times I sit down thinking I know what I’m going to do and something else happens completely. I love that! It just shows me that there’s something bigger going on here and I’m just a piece of it.

Q: Was drawing and producing adult coloring books something you planned on for your life?

Never in a million years. I started seriously drawing in late 2012 in response to some very stressful things I was dealing with. Almost immediately my mom started suggesting making a coloring book.  Looking back it seemed I got behind the trend a little, but my life wasn’t in a place where I could easily create that way. It wasn’t until three years later that I produced my first coloring book.

Q: What is your style of artwork?

Hard-core doodler. LOL. After I picked up drawing again in 2012, I did a lot of Googling for inspiration. After reading about parkour and wishing I could do that, I found Zentangle which reminded me so much of the stuff I used to draw in high school. It was enough to encourage me, and I started doodling and coloring.

Q: Where do you see your talent taking you on your journey in life?

That is a great question! I’ve already been surprised by where the art has already taken me!  Lately I have been researching how coloring can help with building confidence around money and overcoming procrastination.  I feel passionate about helping people with time management issues while having fun at the same time. Using coloring book journals and my new planner to inspire women to empower themselves is amazing and fun for me!

Q: What inspires you when you are doing your artwork?

Nature and patterns…they’re everywhere!

Q: Besides doing artwork, what are some other things you like to do in your spare time?

I am also a healer and a coach, plus I love walking around my neighborhood and taking photos of nature and photography with my phone. You can see it on my Keleki Love Facebook page.  I also love going to live music with my partner, hanging out with friends, and crystal hunting.  I’m also an avid podcast listener and reader.

Q: Where do you see the adult coloring world taking you?
Hopefully to the New York Times Best-Seller list! LOL. Seriously, I love helping adults have stronger time planning skills through use of my Coloring Book Planners.  I see Adult Coloring Books as my avenue to help people reconnect with nature, art and creativity through live events in beautiful natural environments. The sky is definitely the limit!

Q: What are some things you are passionate for besides art?
I’m passionate about a lot of things. The environment is very important to me because I love nature and our planet so much, and it really hurts and confuses me to watch people act like we have a spare planet in our hip pocket as a go-to to if we destroy this one.

I am also very passionate about creating and raising awareness about the rising opiate epidemic that has been sweeping our country for the last decade. I’m so fired up about this that I designed an Anti-Opiate Medical Alert Bracelet, to help prevent addiction from prescription drugs, offering a talking point with medical personnel, and increase and create awareness about this issue and hopefully save lives.

Q: What do you believe is the ideal place to be able to draw and do your artwork?

Just about anywhere. I’ve drawn while waiting for the doctor, on a plane, on vacation, at the kitchen table visiting family, sitting on the couch; at my desk…Have notebook, will draw! LOL

Q: Where has your artwork been displayed?

Awww, I love that question. I have sold commissioned pieces to people, so I have work hanging in homes across the country. It’s fun to think about it being displayed somewhere!! You never know!

Q: Does music inspire you while you are doing your artwork? If so, what kind of music do you like to listen to while you are creating your masterpieces.

I love music and listen often while I’m drawing; it just depends on my mood…. lately I’ve been listening to acoustic brain music on Spotify, but tomorrow it could be country, pop, classical or something else.

Q: What coloring books do you have out for sale?

Here’s the list! Get Coloring Get Happy; Get Coloring Get Happy 2; Get Coloring Get Happy To Go 1, 2 & 3; Get Coloring Get Happy Coloring Book Journal; Get Coloring Get Happy To-Go Midnight Edition; Fun & Fanciful Mandalas; Perfectly Imperfect Mandalas; How Do I Love You? Color the Ways; Color for Christmas; Oh Sh*t! Let’s Color Sweary Mandalas; Don’t Be a Horse’s A**; Color Sweary Mandalas; I F*cking Love Myself through Darkness and Light Coloring Book Journal; You’ve Got This, Superwoman! Coloring Book Journal; Happy Holidays Let’s Color!

Q. What books do you have in the works or are planning on doing?

I’m working on an amazing Coloring Book Planner. I’ve taken all the life lessons I have learned about being on time, rebelling against being on time, spacing out and double booking and rolled them together in a unique journal I can’t wait to share! Stay tuned!

Q: Is there anything that you have seen going on in the art world that causes you great concern? If so, how you would like to see it fixed.

The only thing that’s been hard is that not everyone respects your copyright…I’ve found my work on other websites, Facebook, and Pinterest without my permission. Even though I’m not sure how to fix it, I realize it is just part of publishing online so I accept it. And, on the flip side, people have found me via my art in other places and that’s a good thing!

Side note from Candace: Kim, I have to admit, it was because of someone using your artwork without your permission, that I found your website and Facebook group. It’s been a happy and joyful journey getting to know you and to see your artwork being colored by so many talented colorists. Even though I understand how you must feel, I am thankful we met anyway.

Q: What is the color of your personality and why?

My favorite color is blue, followed closely by purple. I looked up the color blue personality and I have to say, this is fairly true of me. “If blue is your favorite color you are conservative, reliable and trustworthy and expect others to trust you. You are genuine and sincere, and you take your responsibilities seriously. You have a deep need for peace and harmony in your everyday, you benefit from daily meditation and quiet time for reflection, introspection and self-discovery.

You appear confident and self-controlled, but may be hiding your vulnerable side. Generally fairly even-tempered, and sensitive to the needs of others, and caring with your close circle of friends. While you are friendly and sociable, you prefer the company of your own close group of friends.

You are approachable and friendly, always making people feel welcome in your life. You have a thirst for knowledge in order to gain wisdom and appear knowledgeable in whatever area interests you.”

(Pulled from this website, which is kind of fun… http://www.empower-yourself-with-color-psychology.com/personality-color-blue.html)

Q: What are the benefits you see, for the adult coloring market, for those who color your designs?

I loved that almost immediately I started hearing from people who were coloring my work and having the same type of result I had when I started drawing and coloring in 2012. They started to feel calmer and at ease.  Almost all reported less stress and a sense of inner peace, empowerment and laughter. Even now, almost two years and over 15 books later, I have to tell you that when I read a review or hear from someone who was positively affected by my art, I get goose bumps. I am so grateful to those people and so happy that some silly little thing that I found to help me is helping others.  it blows my mind and makes my day! Wow!

Q: What surprises you the most with the people who color your artwork?

I am moved by the new friends I’ve made and the amazing women I’ve met all because I made a coloring book…there’s been so much good that’s come out of all this. I’ve got friends all over the world now through the coloring community, and I just think that’s so amazing and awesome. Lastly, I’m often surprised by how people interpret my art…I draw to color and oftentimes color my own work, so it’s really fun when I see it colored by others…people are SO creative!  I just love seeing what they do with what I did! LOL

Q: Where can people find your coloring books?

My books are available on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Kim-A.-Flodin/e/B014QA8WI6/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1490919591&sr=8-1

Download books and coloring pages at Etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/KimAFlodin?ref=hdr_shop_menu

BIO: Kim A. Flodin. Artist. Healer. Activist. Former corporate tech nerd now embracing her inner hippie. Fun-loving, adventurous lover of the planet, whose art found her. Life-long lover of movies, now living a childhood dream with the Hollywood sign in view from her front porch. What started out as a hobby to keep her mind busy has changed her life forever. Check out her work with a  Free Coloring Sampler Pack at http://www.kelekilove.com/