Born in San Nicolas, Aruba in 1982, Kim Violenes discovered art as a child, using drawing as a way to express herself in a world where words often fell short. When she was 16 she started working full-time and it was hard for her to create art due to her demanding carreer in Logistics and Telecommunication. Life initially pulled her away from art, her passion never faded.

In 2015, Kim made a bold decision: she sold her belongings and committed fully to her artistic path. Her journey led her across Amsterdam and Southeast Asia, often trading her artwork for food and shelter—a testament to her resilience and belief in creative purpose. In 2019, she returned to Aruba, where the island’s vibrant colors a beautiful people became a wellspring of inspiration for her work.

As a self-taught artist, Kim continues to evolve with each series. In her first years in Aruba she did hennah tattoos, painted pet portraits, and Aruba’s flora and fauna.

In 2021 she started her lifelong “I AM” series and transitioned into semi realistic human portraiture. She has created her unique style of painting with mixed media. She paints on fabric, newspaper, craft paper or wood. She is inspired by music, quotes, stories, travel experiences and beautiful people. Kim’s mixed media paintings are bold, emotive, and layered with narrative. They reflect a journey of reinvention, a love for people and identity, and an artist’s commitment to living fully through her craft.