Kim Knoll

Kim Knoll is an abstract painter living and working in Chicago. She draws inspiration from being in a big city and her travels in nature. Switching between acrylics, watercolors, ink, graphite, spray paint and charcoal, she recalls memories, shapes, perspectives, and movements to inform and guide each painting. She spent many years developing her unique style of art, symbolism of shapes and marks, and technique for stretching paper. Her paintings are an expression of what she sees and feels, and an exploration of the contrasts between perfectionism and humanism, as well as structure and spontaneity that coexist within.

Kim received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, though her focus was graphic design. Oddly enough, painting was the only art class she avoided at University. She spent much of her career as a graphic designer, including a decade at a design studio she founded with her husband. Along the way she picked up a paintbrush and fell in love. Her paintings started as a hobby, and eventually turned into her full-time focus. Kim’s artistic style and creative process is heavily influenced by her background in graphic design. She only brings peaceful and positive feelings into her art as a way to remember them. “I hope my art brin...

2003, BFA in Visual Communications, Northern Illinois University

Solo Exhibitions
• 2019, Jun 26-Sep 3, Neighborly, Chicago, IL
• 2018, Nov 16-18, The Martin, Chicago, IL

Group Exhibitions
• 2024, Nov 1-28, New & Abstract Group Show #4, Berlin
• 2023, Jun 23-Jul 28, The Martin, Chicago, IL
• 2018, Aug 28-Oct 19, NIU Art Museum, DeKalb, IL