The Art of Kim Geiser: Persimmon Gal

I remember the good old days of coloring with my grandma at the kitchen table, or watching my other grandma sew the day away amongst piles of colorful fabric ,or sitting next to my mom who was always making something. I quickly soaked up all of that creativity around me. Art was always my favorite class in school and I felt at home with paint on my hands. But eventually life took over and I put that creativity aside.

While I have been artistic my whole life, really finding my artistic voice happened when I took a leap of faith and opened a little craft consignment shop with three other crafty ladies back in 1999. That experience taught me so many valuable lessons that I used to eventually open my own shop, Persimmons. When I had my own space is when I really started to explore my artistic side. I began making assemblage pieces, crocheting, making soap jewelry, and so much more. Just when I was on track to making art full time we moved and I had to close my shop.

Moving back to my hometown was both exciting because I was going to be back with my family, but also very difficult because living away from home forced me to get myself out there and become who I was meant to be. I worried that I would fall into the same routines and lose my creative side. I worked at a bank for a little while, but every non working moment I spent in the studio making some of the most expressive art I have ever made. It helped me to deal with my life and got me through some tough times. It was then that I realized I needed to make changes in my life. I needed to make art an everyday part of my life again.

I found an open store front in Downtown Manitowoc,Wisconsin, on one of the busiest corners in town, and went in to ask how much. It was extremely affordable and after talking to my husband I took it! We quickly got to work finding fixtures at thrift stores and rummage sales. Luckily I am married to a handy man so he made some great furniture for next to nothing. I started Persimmons in Manitowoc in August of 2004 with less than $1000. While opening, I ran into a lot of negative opinions of how a little art shop would do in Manitowoc, but I didn’t listen. I knew there had to be others like me out there and really wanted a place for them to show their talent and encourage their artistic growth as well as mine.

Over the years I quickly realized more needed to be done for the arts in the community, so I began a little art group called Art and About with my friend Jolene and a few artist friends. We hung out at coffee shops and talked about art and the community. Eventually we held art tours and charity events to benefit the arts. Almost 5 years later the group continues to spread color throughout the community and allows artists a place to feel at home. It is one of my greatest accomplishments and has allowed me to develop a great network of not only great artists but great friends.

Persimmons has grown over the years and the focus is now on an open studio and class concept. I was so fortunate in the last few years to be published in so many great publications like Somerset Studio, Gallery, Belle Armoire, Bead Unique, and Cloth Paper Scissors. My art has taken me to new ventures, like selling my found object art and jewelry to other great shops all over Wisconsin and all over the world in my online shop and blog. Social networking sites like etsy and facebook, along with a network of friends, have enabled me to be able to grow my business to new heights, allowing me to collaborate with great artists all over the country.

I currently am really into making art with recycled objects. Shadowboxes, paintings over old pictures, and found object jewelry are what I am most passionate about right now. Everyday is a new adventure of exploration and happy mistakes. I am really excited for the future and cannot wait to live the artful life ahead of me!

Persimmons Art and Vintage Gallery
314 N 8th Street
Manitowoc WI 54220
920-684-3006
http://www.persimmonsgal54220.blogspot.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/persimmonsgal my art shop

ttp://www.etsy.com/shop/cheapoldcrap my supply and vintage shop