A Shared Shoreline
A tribute to an artistic collaboration born from connection and courage.
Dream it . . .
Yesterday, I celebrated a vision that had lingered in my minds eye for years. After six months of steady work, the project—a creative fusion of painting and collage—now stands complete. I approached it not with technical aims, but mindful intention paying tribute to our daughters and the land, lovingly referred to as the swamp .
Painting feels all so familiar, and that is where I began, laying down the landscape, seared in memory, and a favourite spot where we all shared time among the gardens under the maple tree. Little did I know that collage would unfold, lending my current experience to this work. It all felt so right, the final act of maple leaves that sheltered us from the sun. I drew, painted, then cut out and applied. Photographs of Nichole, Erin, and Abeba, which I had taken over the years in that exact spot, I printed to provide size perspective, then merged them into place. I remember clearly the day after I arrived home from Tanzania (2007), Erin and I were under the maple tree when the bird landed in her hand and stayed for some time. A notable welcome home.
Art has and continues to be the instrument through which I express my lived experience, imaginings of what was and what can be. My practice inspires and directs exploration, a gift offered up as a proclamation to my inner worlds.
Title: Memories of the Swamp
Artist: Kim Kitchen
Medium: Acrylic, Collage on Canvas
Dimensions: 4’ x 3’ x 2”
Date: January 20, 2026
Recently in North Bay Ontario Canada, Artists came together to adorn a paddle in support of White Water Art Gallery raising funds to keep their doors open. The Gala event held on March 28th 2026 was a full house of both patrons and the numerous paddles up for auction. An opportunity to lend a visual to the gratitude and respect I feel for Handmaids globally who are taking to the streets in the face of INJUSTICE. I felt compelled to claim my red cloak and white bonnet made by a dear Sister Beverley Roy. We must always be prepared when called upon! Paddle On Sisters now in the collection of Pamela Cross, Canadian feminist lawyer and women’s advocate. https://pamelacross.ca/
Barbara O’Meara of Ireland reached out in 2023 to purchase a copy of of my book To Re-convene // To Shoreline © 2023. Shortly after her copy arrived she messaged, requesting a virtual meet up. Soon after we delighted in seeing one another and oh did we cover shared ground: art, family, community, Herstory, becoming disabled, and pivoting to find one’s way.
First solo trip a long time ago. My Mum saw me board the train from Woodstock to Toronto where Aunty awaited my arrival.
SHE who dreams within her Sacred Temple. The Sleeping Lady unearthed in the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum of Malta. An artistic masterpiece created in the Neolithic period 3200 - 2500 B.C.
