Welcome to my artwork!   Joni McKim, artist

I've had a wonderful experience with my "Ode to a Lineman" painting being featured in the Oklahoma Living magazine!  I am very honored and blessed for the privilege.  I am acquiring new admirers of my art and it truly amazes and touches my heart. 
  I have just posted my most recent painting.  It's taken me quite awhile to finish it.  Not because it was difficult (which it was), but mostly because the healing time was long and arduous after the tornado.  
  I'm still trying to get the true colors of the painting to show properly in the photo of it.  That's always hard for me!    I know artists are supposed to paint happy things that make people feel good, but I believe in the emotional impact of all things, good or bad, as having a meaning in our lives.  She has, since then, rebuilt the barn and is in the process of rebuilding her house.  All is well.   I hope this touches everyone in some way.

  July is here!!  We survived a tornado in May, but the mental repercussions have been challenging, to say the least.  That was truly a life changing experience.  I am in the process of beginning a painting to express my emotions in some way.  Maybe it will allow me to let go of the feelings I have that are trapped within.
   I have been trying to complete a painting for my wonderful sister in law, Shar.  It is a portrait of her longtime companion, a beautiful Boxer named Dempsey.  I was quite stuck in some kind of neutral-feeling territory after the tornado experience.  I am finally able to begin to paint with a joyful heart, so let the healing begin!
  I have the honor of my painting, "Off the Clock" being accepted into the Richeson 75 International Exhibit in Wisconsin!  You can view the catalog at their website. Richeson75.com

 Love and joy to all!

Two of my paintings were juried in to the Oklahoma Friendly 2010 show next month!  There were almost 600 entries nationwide and I had two accepted!  The paintings accepted were "Long Day" and "Branding".  They will hang in the IAO Gallery in Oklahoma City from April 17 until May 12th, 2010.  I am so honored to have been amongst the chosen artists to participate in this wonderful show. 
  I am continuing to work on a new painting titled "Ode to a Lineman".  It will be dedicated to my son, a lineman for OG & E and all the men who work to keep our power on while the weather is bad.  This is a still life painting of a Lineman's gear.  Keep checking or let me know your email address so I can add you to my "Art news list" and you'll see my newest releases first!

I am excited and honored to announce the news!!  I have two paintings that have been "juried in" or accepted into the Pastel National 2010 Exhibit and Show!  This is one of my proudest accomplishments with my artwork yet.  The two paintings that are going to be shown are "Off the Clock" and "Chasing Shadows".  Congratulations to all the people who have purchased prints of "Off the Clock" as it will be a distinguished piece of art.  If you would like a print of "Off the Clock", I have them for sale framed and unframed at all times.  They are hand selected, signed, and now will be a numbered edition!  I will keep you posted on the results of the final judging.

A New Year begins again!!  I posted the picture of Rick branding a calf.  It is what I would consider more on the loose side painting for my taste, but I just wanted to start something new, so considered it finished!  I'm working on a barrel racing picture, mainly to challenge myself and see if I can capture the action in a painting.  We'll see how it transpires.  I've been busy with holidays, bad weather etc., so now back to painting and riding my wonderful horses every chance I get.
  Thank you to all the wonderful people who purchased prints for Christmas presents.  I hope you all enjoy seeing the paintings on your walls.  I know it brings me the greatest joy ever to be able to give out something that others can see daily.  We are all so blessed, aren't we?                                                           

I am in a constant state of balancing my riding with my artwork.  The days are short when you share hours with all that you love to do, but it sure keeps my life interesting.  Now with autumn here, the days becoming shorter, my schedule has to be adjusted.  More time outside because there is less time available, if that makes sense.
I have tried to make peace with the fact that I don't paint full time, but I am cutting my horse numbers back so I can make more painting time available.  Painting is like riding, when you don't do it everyday, you don't have the same feel and balance.  It takes longer to get your "right brain" (intuitive, artistic) more involved than the "left brain" (analytical, ego involved).  My left brain is the chatterbox of bad tidings sometimes.  It wants to tell me I'm nuts for attempting to paint my husband, the tack on the wall, the dogs, on and on.  So I turn my work upside down for awhile and paint.  That will finally subdue all that bad talk, and allow the good, quietly artistic side to work.  When that happens, it's like hypnosis, you paint from a "trance like" state of mind.  It's truly amazing.  Things begin to flow from your hands, colors aren't questioned, they're just right.

Well, I went to visit my grand kids in California for Halloween.  What fun it was to see them all in their costumes running up the driveways.  It always brings back such great memories of dressing up and running from house to house.  It doesn't matter what your age is, it is a memory that is always intact!  Plus, I got to choose my favorites from their candy!  Now, I'm back home on a diet.  Hah!!
  I'm starting a couple of new paintings soon, a branding picture and a beautiful dog.  The branding picture will probably have to wait while I work on the dog.  I'll keep you posted as I go!

Hello to all!  This is very exciting to welcome you to my new blog!
I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to share my artwork and the journey with all.