COMMENTS FROM ARTPRIZE 2011 (left on my website blog):

"Dear Kimber - I can't explain why but when I came across your mural on a beautiful sunny ArtPrize day, I burst into tears of emotion.  Everyone was having so much fun discovering all the memories in your piece, me included, but I couldn't stop those tears!  I think the combination of the smoking towers & memories of the past overpowered by the beautiful blue sky and the kids running with hopeful abandon hit me right in the heart.  Thank you for all your hard work, it made an impact on me!" - Laura R.

"Awesome artwork at ArtPrize. I have voted for you to win. Logged onto facebook when I got home and even a friend predicted you would win. He put a few pics on his site showing your art. But I will have to say the best part was talking to you with my wife. We enjoyed hearing about the painting from start to finish and your reason behind it. You are very talented and we look forward to seeing you again at the next ArtPrize."   - Kurt W.

"I first want to say they you did an awesome job with this year's entry. My family and I were very impressed with the detail and concept." - David L.

"Your "America" is my favorite piece so far! It is wonderful and surely a trip down memory lane. Thank you for sharing your gift!" - Darcy

"Your piece is spectacular!!" - Cathy

"Great Job!!  You should be so happy with the way it turned out.  All the hard work was worth it."  - Jean

"Hi I saw your piece at ArtPrize yesterday, I really enjoyed looking at it, it was a great piece!" - Jordan H.

"I happened to be at a conference last week and LOVED your mural.  Several colleagues and I spent more than a few minutes exploring the "Who's Who" within your painting.  I hope you win!!!"  - Joyce G.

"I was very impressed to view it and talk with you on 9/25/11!" - David

"Love your work. I would love to have a copy of you mural so I can frame it and hang it for all to see!!!!" - Erica W.

"Am living in GR and going to lk mi a lot caused me to vote for you. Could I have posters for my 4 children as gifts?"  - Judy JB

"I was visiting my family in Lansing this week.  My sisters took me to the ArtPrize and I was blown away!  Loved all sorts of art - including yours!" - Gary G.

"I have been to ArtPrize twice this year and both times have seen your work there.  It is one of my favorites." - Mike M.

"Love seeing your art work today. you have so many feelings going on at once, much to see. thank you" - Ginger L.

"Please send copy of America in pdf.  It was a great piece to reminisce about all the people in the mural." - Kathy B.

"I love your "America".  It's so cool and I would love to have it forever!  Thanks!" - Katie S.

"I loved your 2011 ArtPrize entry." - Diane H.

"I love you America piece at Art Prize." - Jason M.

"Please send me a copy of your Art Prize piece, it was great, everytime you look at it you see something different, reminds me of the hidden pictures inHighlights magazine when I was a kid, looking for something hidden." - Mary B.

"Kimber, I love your ArtPrize entry "America". Thank you and best of luck to you! "- Gary G.

"I really enjoyed America at Art Prize. I was amazed at how many images I recognized. I also liked the joy exhibited in the girl as she runs toward the beach. Very well done. Thank you for sharing your talent!" - Karen E.

"What a great mural. One of the most interesting and fun entries at Art Prize GR. - Fred S.I so enjoyed your fantastic painting in 2011 ArtPrize.  It was so much fun to stand in the crowd viewing your work as they talked about what they saw & who it was.  Thank You!  I am: "Appreciative of your talent!" - Julie S.

"Loved your mural!"  Joanne C.

"Great Mural for 2011. Nice site here too, Love all the side by side photos, it really adds to the story of how you put it all together. Thanx, and keep up the good work!" - David B.

"I teach a middle school class about pop culture and your "America" mural was recommended to me. Thanks!" - Trevor K.

"Dear Kimber, I so very much enjoyed your entry. I found myself coming back to it a number of times. It was amazing how looking at the people in the picture brought back memories and made me realize the tapestry of our country. Blessings as you continue using you creative gifts." - Mary B.

"Thank you for doing and entering this piece in Artprize.  I love it.  I am still surprised it did not make the top 10, especially given some of those that did.  I believe if people had really looked at all the images in it, it would have made it. Thank you again!" - Jason W.

"As soon as I saw "America" I called my son and gave him your website, but it was not up at the time he checked. He is a teacher in the Gibraltar school district. He teaches an enrichment class in pop culture. I thought "America" would be perfect." - Deb K.

"Please send me a copy of America. "America" is absolutely amazing!!!" - Tami B.

"Loved the mural. What a conversation piece!" - Nancy B.

"It reminds me of time growing up." - Marlon B.

"Kimber, our nephew has a great interest in art at age 13.  He was enthralled by your work at Art Prize.  I would love to be able to give him a copy of "America" as an incentive to continue his interest." Thanks, Fred S.

"Stopped by your mural a few weeks ago at Artprize - I teach high school history and I loved it for the artistic as well as historical aspects of the piece.  You had a sign up about requesting a PDF of the print - I would love one if you are still willing to send those out.  I would love to have it for classroom use in some way this coming semester." - Duane B.

"I enjoyed "America" as shown at the recent Art Prize.  It it beautiful and filled with so much thought.  Thank you." - Linda

"Loved your piece at ArtPrize!"  - Meg S.

"Excellent!  Thank you." - Michelle M.

"Absolutely unique way to display a beautiful picture.  You are very talented.  Thank you for sharing this with us." - Kelly OB.

"My wife and I enjoyed your wonderful painting "America" at the Grand Rapids art prize.  We also enjoyed the brief visit with you there and your explanation of thoughts while painting this mural."  - Michael T.

"AMERICA"

When 9/11 occurred, a surge of patriotism erupted across America. I was swept up in that spirit, but I also asked myself “What does it MEAN to be an American?” My answer is that we share Memories - the people, places, events, and inventions that have not only shaped our nation, but have changed the world. 

From a distance, my mural depicts a beautiful Lake Michigan beach scene - the children running with freedom and joy towards the beach are our future. Up close you will see it’s made up of hundreds of pictures, organically woven into the fabric of the painting. Start your viewing with the World Trade Center in the center-left of the painting - see how the smoke billows up to form a charging American Buffalo? Hope you enjoy! 

The PAST is shown as the iconic images making up the background, the PRESENT (the foreground) shows a peaceful, fun beach, with our children running FREELY towards whatever awaits them at the bottom of the beach path (the unknown/unseen FUTURE). 

some people witness first hand,
some people watch on tv,
some people cry,
most people feel anger, outrage... disbelief...
some people fly flags,
some people salute,
some people write songs or books...
        create photos, movies, documentaries,   
a lot of people talk, remember...
         I paint.     
                  - Kimber Thompson

Created: 2010
Media: Liquitex acrylic paint, with Soluvar Varnish coats to protect against UV rays and rain, on MDO Board
Size: 8' x 20' (160 square feet)    
Over 1,000 hours of painting
Location: Shown during ArtPrize 2010 at Huntington/50 Monroe (along the North edge of the BOB's parking lot)

SEE IT NOW: DISPLAYED ON THE SIDE OF AN HISTORIC SCHOOLHOUSE AT: 4015 Burkley Road, Williamston, MI - corner of Turner Road and Burkley Road.

KEY