The Verve: Kimmel displays childlike curiosity

Being introduced to Joe Kimmel’s artwork is like discovering a stash of children’s drawings, ones that were created in an attempt to tell stories and make sense of experiences.

The freedom within the drawings is apparent; simple yet complex observations without grown-up paradigms.

“I have always been socially labeled as childlike. I have tried to play to my strengths and acknowledge my weaknesses,” he said. “An attribute of being childlike is curiosity.”

Kimmel is curious and his work reflects that; grown-up coloring books filled with imaginative storylines and characters that seem to frolic in dreamlike worlds where animals talk, landscapes warp, unicorns exist, and humans are more than human.

“I allow my paintings and drawings to represent the formless things of this world,” he said. “I illustrate stories. I let go and imagine a frozen scene and make it move with the mystery behind the imagery, expressing my full imagination. I use iconic symbols, animals and colors to do this. Art should never be a safe thing.”

Kimmel was born in a small logging town in Northern California. When Kimmel was 9, his father, a logger, moved the family to Boise. Kimmel’s great aunt Betty provided an endless supply of books and, though he was good at art in high school, it wasn’t until after he graduated and saw a friend’s art portfolio that he decided he simply had to tell his own stories.

He got a gig creating a concert poster and began doing collaborations including painting a 30-foot canvas wall with 20 other artists to raise money for a foundation that was building a school in India; working with a band to write and illustrate a rock opera; coordinating an art auction to raise money for art events; painting on stage with bands; and painting wall murals to advertise for art walks.

He took art classes at Boise State University and in Oregon but day jobs and art shows took precedence and required classes were not his thing. He simply got busy and showed his work in coffee shops and warehouses. His styles change now and again but his desire to share his journey in colorful ways remains constant.

A couple of years ago, Kimmel came to Spokane to visit friends. He submitted work to Terrain’s annual art show, was accepted and eventually moved to the area. Now, on his back porch in the Perry District, he paints large pieces in acrylic on wood. He has shown sparingly in the area but that will change; he has plans filled with “what-ifs” like most curious people do.

“I try to make my wildest dreams come true through art,” he said.