KIM FERNANDES

Her brightly painted walls pale in comparison to the gorgeous hues that envelope the canvas works of art adorning each surface. Many forms take shape... oils... watercolour... clay... a vintage cartoon.

Her darling pup, Boscoe, barks cheerfully as I approach, and the artist smiles warmly at my arrival.

Meet Kim Fernandes, Port Perry’s award-winning children’s author and illustrator.

Perhaps it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but I am utterly astounded by the long and impressive line of artists that came before her!

Her grandfather was a gifted cartoonist from New York, working for the illustrious DC Comic Company. Both her mother, Eugenie, and father, Henry, also embraced the arts, exploring their creative natures in various forms... paint, clay and written word.

Her mother has been especially successful as a gifted illustrator for numerous children’s books. Her brother, with a similar ‘cartoon-like’ style of their father’s work, has just created a Saturday morning cartoon for the CBC, amongst his other works.

Kim recalls many early memories that fostered a desire for creativity. “My earliest memories are of decorating sandcastles with pebbles and shells,” she stated gleefully. “When I was five, I remember sitting next to my mother in her studio and designing my first picture book”.

Crafts and all the glitter and glue that accompany it, were always readily available and a common thread in her home that drew her family together. “I recall making purses out of old jeans; always creating, always playing”.

Born in New York, her family moved to Toronto when Kim was just four. Her parents worked as freelance artists and while Kim perhaps didn’t make a conscious choice to become an artist herself, it is a part of her, who she is and it was a natural move to undertake her family’s trade.

“It actually all started as a grade 13 art project; my mother encouraged me to develop the clay models into a story”. Over that summer, she wrote her first children’s book, ‘Visiting Granny’, which was published by Annick Press and released in 1990.

“I attended the Ontario College of Art from 1989 to 1992. My speciality is creating three-dimensional illustrations using an oven hardening polymer clay”. This amazing art form can be seen in many of the books she has illustrated, in particular the “Little Mouse” series.

Kim has written two books and illustrated countless more; including a number of the children’s books her mother has written.

Family is extremely important to Kim, especially her two most valuable treasures - her children, Owen and Robyn.
Although divorced, she is now happily coupled with her partner Bill whom she has supported and encouraged to pursue his artistic side. Together they have unearthed his unique talents.

Kim kindly gave me a tour of her home, allowing me to explore the heavy influence of the arts throughout. A long narrow staircase leads to her basement studio where gorgeous illustrations, colours and clay adorn the walls. They are almost alive and calling to their new visitors.

I tell Kim how drawn I am to the colourful flowers; she loves them too. “I guess I forget sometimes what is on the walls” she states mindfully. It takes fresh eyes to remind her of their beauty and their impact on a stranger.

Kim has received numerous awards and accolades for her work and enjoys giving presentations to school-aged children. “I love storytelling and providing kids a plasticine workshop opportunity.” Her warmth and natural enthusiasm provide an enriching learning experience for children.
She has lived in Scugog for 14 years and loves it here although she recently listed her home for sale with plans to move closer to her parents.

“There is an artful influence here - an appreciation for creativity”. Her work can be seen on display at The Framer’s Gallery and at the local birdhouse competition in May.

In addition to her busy art schedule, Kim has other interests. “I like crosswords, reading and metal detecting” she shares readily. “I like fishing and sailing too... and sushi”! She proudly shows me their new baby... a white sailboat sitting stoically in the driveway.

What’s next for this crafty lady?

“I’m cooking up a few things” she states mischievously. Kim holds her future plans close. She has a few book ideas brewing and is currently working on a gorgeous contemporary oil painting of fuchsia daisies.

With a plan to meet again and a quick tickle on Boscoe’s head the interview ends and she’s back to the drawing board!

By Tammy Horvath
Focus on Scugog