Interview
Kym De Los Reyes
Kym De Los Reyes is a versatile, energetic painter who specializes in colorful abstracts, small still life and impressionistic California landscapes A native Southern-Californian, Kym was on the “50 to watch” of artist from the San Diego area and has an ever growing exhibition resume and has been actively showing in Southern California. Her work is currently being collected through-out the U.S. Her art has been exhibited and sold at the prestigious Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel and at is thrilled to have painted live for many events for The Landmark Hotel Del Coronado, CA.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I hold a BFA in Illustration. As an adult, my journey to becoming a working artist began by sharing my work online. Posting consistently on Instagram and Facebook helped me connect with people and build an audience. I developed an online portfolio and created a website. After building a strong social media presence, I felt confident submitting my work to galleries, presenting my collections as a cohesive body of work.”
What inspires you?
“I am inspired by the land, the shapes of light, muted hues, bold strokes, and thick paint with visible brushwork—paintings that make me feel something. I draw influence from abstract women painters who broke barriers, as well as from the collective of women artists working in today’s contemporary art scene.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“A constant theme in my work is rooted in my faith. God is a creator, and we are made in His image; I am created to create. I strive to capture the world around me and give it my voice through color. I work from a place of gratitude and deep admiration for the earth He made.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work centers on expressive, emotionally driven abstraction rooted in both landscape and inner experience. I often explore the interplay of light, atmosphere, and memory—using muted, earthy tones alongside bold, gestural strokes to create a sense of depth and movement. A defining quality of my work is the physicality of paint itself. Thick application, visible brushstrokes, and layered textures give each piece a tactile presence, inviting the viewer to not just see, but feel. My compositions balance control and spontaneity, where intuitive mark-making meets thoughtful color relationships. Underlying much of my work is a quiet but powerful influence of faith. For me, creation becomes both an act of reflection and devotion—translating the beauty of the natural world into a personal visual language. Through color and form, I aim to capture moments of awe, gratitude, and connection to something larger than myself.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I am inspired by the work of Cecily Brown, Bobbie Burgers, Leah Thiessen, and Petra Schott, as well as by legends such as Elaine de Kooning, Joan Mitchell, Mary Abbott, and Lee Krasner, among others.”
What is your creative process like?
“My process starts with observing the landscape, changing light, and natural color relationships. I take in these moments and let them sit before translating them to the canvas. I work intuitively, building paintings in layers of bold gestures and quieter, muted areas. I focus on the physical nature of paint—thick application, visible brushstrokes, and texture—to create movement and depth. Each piece develops through response rather than a fixed plan. Faith is part of my practice. I approach painting as an act of creation rooted in gratitude and the belief that I am created to create.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Art has always been a human part of expression. Recently I have noticed that art has become a powerful outlet and pathway for women who are based at home. It allows for flexible creative work that can fit around family life. It creates a sense of identity beyond domestic roles—you’re not ‘just at home,’ you’re actively building a practice. Social media offers a direct-to-audience model Historically, women were excluded from institutions, exhibitions, and networks. Social media has flipped that dynamic—now visibility can come from consistency and connection, not just approval. There’s also a strong cultural movement of women supporting women, which has amplified this growth.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I am currently exhibiting my work in galleries across the country, with each gallery representing a continued evolution of my practice. These opportunities have allowed me to share my work with a wider audience and engage in the broader contemporary dialogue.”
Website: www.kymdelosreyesart.com
Instagram: @kymdelosreyesart
Other links: www.facebook.com/KymDeLosReyes-Artist
