An Arizona native, Kim O'Connor comes to art and the creation of beautiful objects, naturally. With a mother who is an award winning fine artist, and a grandmother who was a crafter, both of whom were seamstresses, Kim began her artistic career when she was a child in Tucson. Kim moved to Scottsdale when she was 7, and has lived there, or in Phoenix, ever since, with the exception of a seven month stay in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The stint in New Mexico was brief but had a significant impact on her artistic eye and vision. An enthusiastic art student, Kim won her first artistic award when she was honored for outstanding achievement in art as an eighth grader in Scottsdale.

At Saguaro High School, Kim found her artistic outlet and satisfaction in dance and theater arts. Sewing and drawing became entertainment until she majored in art at Arizona State University. During her studies there, a love of the female nude figure as a subject for art and a love for creating jewelry was born. It was during this time that her muses were awakened and began a clamor to be heard, never again to be silenced. The summer before the start of her studies at Arizona State University, Kim began to study oil painting at the Jim Strong School of Art. By this point in her artistic career, she was exploring textiles, ceramics, batik, oils, conte crayon and chalk and had already begun selling her work to the general public.

Kim's artistic life path took a detour when the summer before her senior year at ASU she dropped out of school to do some introspection and self examination. This eventually led to a career as an attorney. Kim did, however, continue to study oil painting and worked in what ever media struck her fancy while practicing.

The detour complete, Kim now works in oil, watercolor, acrylics, textiles, ceramics, chalk, oil pastels, fine and sterling silver, and gold. Knowing Kim, that is bound to expand. She is a lucky woman in that she can pursue what ever media her creative side wishes to use for expression. Kim's muses are demanding and have the attention span of a gnat, so she tends to flit from project to project, media to media and you just never know what she'll come up with next.

Art is not only a gift of which Kim is possessed, but is also a gift to her from the divine universe. She like many others has experienced challenges in her life, some greater than others, and her art has always been there for her as both therapy and a way to express how these challenges have impacted her.

Kim is interested in her art having an impact on not just the viewer but the community as well. Therefore, she has made a personal commitment to donate a percentage of the proceeds of her sales of art and art objects to specific charities. To better reach these goals Kim is thrilled to be able to share her work with the public through the KnockOut Design Gallery, LLC, which opened on May '07. Be sure to check with “What’s Happening at KnockOut Design Gallery to find out about new pieces and where Kim’s art will be showing next.

Kim is currently a member of, Art Link, of Phoenix, the Scottsdale Artists League, and a juried member of the Arizona Art Alliance. She will be showing pieces with these groups throughout the year, so check our shows and awards page to find out where Kim’s fine art will be showing with these art associations.

Kim looks forward to great things coming in the future as a result of her new-found ability to connect with you, the patrons of the KnockOut Design Gallery. She hopes for great things in the future for you as well.