About Me
Artist Statement
After 20 years as an award-winning illustrator, I found myself burnt out and craving something that reignited my creative spark. I needed to make art that truly excited me again, and that’s when I turned to abstract painting—something that’s always inspired me but never fully explored.
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I’m a Type “A” control freak, and my years as an illustrator definitely reflected that—structured, precise, and deadline-driven. But moving into abstract painting threw me into a whole new world of unpredictability. It’s a bit terrifying, but that’s where the magic happens.
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While I still have control over certain aspects, the oil and cold wax process often takes the lead in surprising ways. Building textured layers, working back into them with tools and solvents, and allowing myself to make mistakes has been both exhilarating and liberating. You’ll still spot traces of my illustrative past in sharp lines and occasional collage, but it’s the push and pull of the abstract process that keeps me on my toes, curious to see what emerges by the time that final layer of wax goes down.
Bio
I'm Kym Balthazar, a contemporary abstract painter working with oil and cold wax, based in Scranton, Pennsylvania. A graduate of the University of the Arts, I spent two decades as an award-winning illustrator before rediscovering my passion for painting.
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My creative process is all about playfulness and discovery, often leaning into the unpredictable. Layer by layer, I build and excavate grungy, textural surfaces, letting each painting’s story unfold naturally. Through this intuitive approach, I aim to create a sense of connection and freedom that brings each piece to life.
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My paintings have been featured in numerous juried exhibitions, including Art of the State - Pennsylvania, the SDMAAG Spring 2022 Exhibition, and the Rice Gallery of Fine Art Juried Exhibition. My work is also part of private collections across the United States and internationally.
Affiliations.
Art e'Fekts Gallery Board of Directors
AFA - Scranton Member
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Representation.
Art e'Fekts Gallery, Pittston, PA
Morgan Gallery, Blakeslee, PA
Marquis Art & Frame, Wilkes Barre, PA
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Education.
Kym graduated from the University of the Arts in 1995 with a BFA in Illustration, where she won the Harriet Pauline Hughes Award for pen & ink illustration and received honorable mention in the William H. Ely Excellence in Illustration competition.