Kimetha Vanderveen: Taking San Francisco by Storm, One Monotype at a Time

Kimetha Vanderveen, a multi talented, up-and-coming artist who’s work has flourished in the exigent San Francisco art scene, has displayed her inimitable work in countless exhibits around the nation. She is slowly but surely taking San Francisco by storm in the form of miniature monotypes in a calming cerulean and grey colored palate—most recently, at the San Francisco Annual Emerge Show hosted by GenArt, which was named one of the ten best art events nationally last year by the San Francisco Chronicle. The extensive show featured the work of twenty-two hand picked emerging artists from the bay area, including Kimetha.

When viewing Kimetha’s art displayed at the Emerge show, I was instantly captivated by the uncomplicated, abstract style of her work. The pretty washes of grays and blues evoked a sense of calm and tranquility within the busy gallery setting. Her miniature monotypes, which were neatly hung on the white walls of the abandoned apartment building turned gallery, brought forth a multitude of images and visual metaphors—from the nature of a solid tree to the architecture of a bold, modern house. The soothing colors of grays and blues formed the scenic landscape of a tranquil beach at sunset and the metamorphosis of day to night. Her work seemed to subtly contradict itself by appearing uncomplicated and minimal at first glance with its miniature size and abstract gray and white brush strokes. But when searching deeper into the work and truly taking the time to contemplate it, the complexity of its objects and layers of meaning seemed to slowly reveal itself. From one viewing, I instantly wanted to know more about Kimetha and her art.

Just like Kimetha’s monotypes, her calm nature and soft-spoken voice put me instantly at ease. After viewing her monotypes, I was eager to find out from the artist herself what they represented. I also wanted to understand her creative process, and to gain a better comprehension of the daily struggles and triumphs of an up-and-coming female artist in such a challenging and competitive field.


Q: I saw your monotypes in San Francisco at the Emerge show hosted by GenArt. What do your monotypes represent to you?

A: My art has many layers of content embodied in them. I would like the viewer to have a contemplative experience. Certain bodies of my artwork are much more subtle in tones, but that doesn’t mean that there is not complexity.