AN ARTISTIC BEGINNING

The truth is, there’s no timeline, no age requirement, and no barricade preventing you from lobbing yourself into a new creative endeavor. Do you want to take up pottery, but you’ve never used a wheel before? Go for it. Have you dreamed about becoming a painter, sculptor, make-up artist, or designer but you’re not sure you’d be any good at it? Try it anyway.

Barrington local and mother of three boys, Kymberly Wiedenkeller Kainz (Kym), grew up in New York and Kansas, double majored at the University of Kansas, received a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine, and then later moved to the great state of Illinois. She lives in a historic farmhouse from 1929, which has brought out a fair amount of her handywoman skills.

“I appreciate the open space and small town feel of Barrington,” says Kainz. “I am fortunate to have been welcomed into an amazing family in Barrington and I have made beautiful friendships that mean the world to me. My youngest son has a crew that is reminiscent of the tight-knit neighborhood besties I grew up with, so it’s been a pleasure watching them grow up together.”

At first glance, most folks might not readily deduce that Kainz is a promising bronze casting artist. “I’ve always found pleasure in creating things and experimenting with different mediums,” Kainz says. “Along with being a seamstress, I enjoy drawing, painting, mosaic art, and refurbishing antiques.”

When Kainz’s friend saw her work, she told Kainz that she should join a bronze class with her at Harper College. “Prior to her suggestion, I hadn’t really given metalwork any thought,” Kainz says.

Now in her fourth bronze casting session, Kainz, of course, has learned many skills along the way. She’s honed in on her workflow and medium preferences. There have been challenges and triumphs but for the most part, the art and new friendships keep bringing her back.

“I went into this class knowing nothing about bronze casting, so the entire process has been a learning experience,” Kainz says. “There are a few ways to create what becomes the final metal piece and I’m finding that my preference is to first create my piece with clay. Others prefer to begin their piece by shaping wax into the desired shape, but I find it challenging to start with wax because it’s not as malleable or forgiving as clay. Starting with clay adds a few extra steps, however, as you need to make a plaster or silicone mold of your piece in order to turn it into a wax prototype.”

One of the first works of art Kainz created—a small old man who sits on a shelf—remains one of her favorite pieces. “He’s pretty rough, but I’m rather fond of him,” Kainz says. She goes on to say, “I’m pretty excited about the piece I’m working on now. It’s textured to emulate movement, like waves or flames. I restored the upper panel of an old piano, which will work as its frame. It’s definitely a challenging piece because I’ll have to make it in separate pieces, then weld them together, which I haven’t attempted before.”

Learning and growing with her art is always a part of the process. She continues to learn through trial and error, eschewing shortcuts when bronze casting. There’s frequently a big satisfying payoff, however, because after a laborious process and, often, months of work and toil, the outcome can be something quite beautiful.

Of course, a setback can result as well. “You really have to put in the work and remain flexible during the process,” says Kainz. “I made a piece using a silicon mold during the last course session and it was a nightmare because the hot wax kept oozing out of the mold and it took hours of constant monitoring, stanching leaks, and adding additional wax. I was pleased with the final outcome, but it was definitely a labor of love.”

For any budding artist in the Barrington community, who is looking to try something newfangled, Kainz has some sage advice and inspiration: “There are so many opportunities to try new things. Think of something you’ve never considered doing and do it. You never know the people you will meet and the skills you’ll discover. I recently learned that the father of a Barrington local, who is a personal friend, was instrumental in developing the bronze casting program at Harper many years ago.”

And, as far as selling or showcasing her work goes, Kainz imagines that bronze casting will be something she enjoys for a long time into the future. “I have a very romantic notion of creating something that someone would want to put in their home,” Kainz says. “I guess time will tell. I don’t know where this journey will take me, but I’m enjoying the ride and the people I’m meeting along the way!”

Kainz recommends perusing your local community college course catalog that is available as well as looking into your community centers or libraries for trying something new.

Let your passion take you somewhere you didn’t think you could go, perhaps where new friendships are waiting.