Artist Focus: Kymberlee Stanley

Kymberlee Stanley is a native Southern California oil painter who grew up visiting Catalina Island, and is deeply inspired by coastal color in the palette of her life and work. She is also a psychotherapist who utilizes water as a metaphor in her art and life to express what can be found both above and below the surface of our souls.

Sailing On, oil on canvas, 28 x 22"

Stanley began painting at the age of 46 after moving to Nashville and feeling homesick for the coast. Between 2019 and 2022, she moved to Catalina Island and painted avidly, taking pictures of boats from her standup paddle board and painting water scenes and reflections as a meditative practice. She enjoys painting in the quick alla prima style to bring a sense of immediacy to her work and connection to the viewer. When Stanley is in her “flow” of painting, she believes she is both receiving and offering hope to the viewer and to herself—much like prayer.

Casino Overlook, oil on canvas, 36 x 36"

Currently she is a bi-coastal painter with studios in both Southern California and Nashville, and is a member of the Laguna Beach Plein Air Association, the Southern California Plein Air Association, the California Art Club and Oil Painters of America. Her work has been exhibited in juried shows through the Oceanside Museum of Art Artist Alliance, Crystal Cove Conservancy, Nashville’s Parthenon Museum, Catalina Island Art Gallery and annually at the Catalina Island Festival of Art. She is currently accepting commissions for custom boat paintings and gathering interest for her new online group for Expressive Arts in the fall of 2024.