About Kim Marie

Kim Marie is my name. Live Your Dreams is my motto.

I truly believe that dreams are meant to be lived – not just imagined. Creating art is my invitation for others to dream, to explore, to play, and to believe that possibility is always within reach.

My creative journey has moved across illustration, painting, collage, digital design, and the world of children’s books. My canvas has ranged from 36 millimeter watch faces to 6 foot mascot statues and many items in between. Although the mediums, formats, and subjects change, my work is connected by a desire to bring whimsy and joy in everyday life.

For me, creating is an adventure. My curiosity continually leads me to new places to experiment and to transform ideas that exist in my imagination to something tangible. Being willing to explore is an essential part of my identity. My art is rooted in optimism, imagination, connection, and joy. I’m drawn to playful imagery, vibrant colors, uplifting words, and simple beauty. Travel, adventure, family, and nature continually inspire me and replenish my creative energy.

Creating books for children has been an especially meaningful part of my creative journey. My stories invite children to participate through repetition, rhyme, and playful language (like tongue twisters). My illustrations include funny animals, hidden objects, and surprising details that reveal themselves with each reading. I love creating stories that children want to hear again and again, with illustrations that give them reasons to laugh, look closely, and join in. My hope is for children to discover that reading can be fun, surprising, and something they can look forward to for a lifetime.

My commitment to encouraging young readers extends beyond my own books. As the owner and steward of Live Your Dreams Library, I have the opportunity to help books find new readers within my community.

Becoming an artist and an independently published author and illustrator has not been a straight or easy path for me. There have been moments of self-doubt, procrastination, uncertainty, and the temptation to focus so intensely on the destination that I forget to enjoy the journey. I’ve learned to give myself grace, begin again, and trust that progress can happen in small, steady steps.

For me, creativity is less about perfection and more about showing up, experimenting, learning, and allowing an idea to evolve. I want my work to leave people feeling a little more joyful, a little more curious, but mostly to encourage them to take small steps towards living their own dreams.

Dream. Create. Inspire. Repeat.

It’s more than my tagline . . . it’s the way I choose to live.

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