Curio: Kim Novak, Painter
Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at 2:01PM Alexa here. Recently I was doing some searching for the perfect alternative poster for my second-favorite Hitchcock film Vertigo (wanted a companion piece for the print I have celebrating my favorite) and I stumbled upon a link to the painting below. Turns out it was painted by the actress herself, Kim Novak.
I then found myself in a Google deep-dive regarding 'Kim Novak, artist'. Here are some samples of her more intriguing pieces...
Apparently Novak has been painting since the 60s. In 2000, the Oregon ranch she owned with her husband burned to the ground and most of her paintings were lost. But she continues to paint, mostly in oil, pastel and watercolor. Her paintings have helped her deal with her bipolar disorder, which she describes as mostly manifesting as depression. With them, she says she has "found a way to live through the overwhelming feelings of frustration and depression to experience the freedom of self expression."
"Getting Clean"
"Meltdown on Wall Street"
Self Portrait
"An Altered World"
You can read more about Kim Novak the artist at her official site.
Reader Comments (5)
That self-portrait is haunting. And beautiful.
yeah the self portrait is my favorite of these, the hair running down like wet paint
Years ago I saw one of those promotional shorts the studio use to do on their stars, about fifteen minutes long, and they showed her at her beach house painting and she said it calmed her. Interesting that she's kept at it for all these years. I had read about the fire that destroyed many of her belongings including the rough draft of an autobiography she was starting. She stated at the time that she considered it a sign and abandoned the book, which is a shame but it was probably quite wrenching for her so understandable she didn't choose to start from scratch again.
I also like the self portrait best.
Yet another side to one of Hollywood's greatest enigmas...
Thank you Alexa for finding these. I knew Kim painted but never thought she might have a website, which I just visited. Her use of colour is beautiful, almost Impressionistic.
I splashed out and bought a Limited Edition, hand signed print of Vertigo/Vortex of Illusion. (It was only 715 British pounds!). What an amazing way to celebrate my favourite film.