“I believe authentic creativity, in all forms, is an intimately human endeavor, a way to relate spiritually with one another, a way to feel connected to the beauty of our world. My art is grounded in life’s passions and joy. Ever grateful for the opportunity to visually express my voice in pure pigment, I dance to the rhythms of nature in pastel.”
Painter and California Native, Kim Lordier received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Academy of Art University, San Francisco and University of San Francisco. Flight attendant, competitive horsewoman, and artist, her career path varied until the events of September 11, 2001, when she committed to her life’s work as an artist. Lordier’s art examines the patterns of nature, and how light transforms the mood of an environment. Known for utilizing rich color and a tapestry like effect in her mark making, Kim weaves her spiritual relationship with the outdoors into her work. After two decades of painting the Western landscape, from life and in the studio, Lordier brings her life long passion for the horse into her compositions. Fascinated with the strength and grace of the horse, she conveys their power and gentility by painting them in their surroundings. Whether portraying working stock, performance horses or wild mustangs, Lordier reflects on the kindred spirit of these beautiful creatures and their relationship to man.
California Art Club- Signature Member
Laguna Plein Air Painters Association- Signature Member
Pastel Society of the West Coast- Pastel Laureate
Pastel Society of America- Signature Member
Michael Chesley Johnson. “Beautiful Landscape Painting Outdoors:Mastering Plein Air”
Anne Hevener. “Pure Pastel-Contemporary Works by Today’s Top Artists.”
Jean Stern and Molly Siple. “Painting California- Seascapes and Beach Towns Paintings of the California Art Club.”
Jean Stern, Susan Hallsten McGarry, Terry Lawson Dunn. “ Art of the National Parks- Historic Connections Contemporary Interpretations.”
Jean Stern and Molly Siple. “California Light- A Century of Landscapes, Paintings of the California Art Club.”
Maggie Price. “Painting Sunlight and Shadows with Pastels.”
Kathryn Kipp. “Art Journey America-Landscapes- 89 Painters’ Perspectives.”
The Irvine Museum. “Joan Irvine Smith- A California Woman’s Story.”
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS / SOLO
2022 Illuminated Impressions: A Visual Journey, Rieser Fine Art, Carmel, CA
2020 The Luminous Landscape, Rieser Fine Art, Carmel, CA
2018 Visual Poetry, Rieser Fine Art, Carmel, CA
2016 Rhythms in Nature, Rieser Fine Art, Carmel, CA
2014 Chasing Beauty, Rieser Fine Art, Carmel, CA
2009 Inspired by Light, Rieser Fine Art, Carmel, CA
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS / GROUP
2025 Wild Women Paint the West at Illume Gallery West, Philipsburg MT
2025 California Art Club’s, 114th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, Torrence CA
2025 International Association of Pastel Societies, 14th Master Circle Division
2024 California Art Club’s 113th, Annual Gold Medal, Hilbert Museum
2024 Catalina Island Conservancy, Wild Side Show
2024 American Tonalist Society, Best in Tonalism Online2024 Pacifica Art League, Iconic California- Plein Air Show
2023 Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale, Denver, CO
2023 American Tonalist Society, Shades of Gray ll, Salmagundi Club
2023 Catalina Island Conservancy, Wild Side Exhibition and Sale, Newport Beach, CA
2023 Pastel Society of West Coast, PASTELS USA- 99 Voices
2023 Holton Studio Gallery, On the Threshold: Ellen Howard, Tia Kratter, Kim Lordier, Berkeley, CA
2022 Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale, Denver , CO
2021 Catalina Island Conservancy, Wild Side Exhibition and Sale, Newport Beach, CA
2021 California Art Club's 110th Gold Medal Exhibition, Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University, Orange, CA, catalog
2020-2008 California Art Club’s Gold Medal Exhibition, catalogs
2020-2019 Catalina Island Conservancy, Wild Side Exhibition and Sale, Newport Beach, CA
2019 Shades of Gray, American Tonalist Society, Salmagundi Club, New York, NY, catalog
2018-2012 Coors Western Art Exhibit and Sale, Denver, CO
2017-2013 Catalina Island Conservancy, Wild Side Exhibition and Sale, Newport Beach, CA
2015 Maynard Dixon Country, Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts, Mount Carmel, UT
2013 Pintores Pastelistas Espanoles International Salon Show, Oviedo, Spain, catalog
SELECTED AWARDS AND HONORS:
2025 Pastel Society of the West Coast- Received PASTEL LAUREATE Distinction
2025 American Tonalist Society, Shades of Gray III, BLUE RIDGE/ROSEMARY AWARD
2025 PSWC MOOS Online Show, 1st Place
2025 PSWC Out of Bounds!, Morro Bay Art Center, Morro Bay CA, 2nd Place
2025 Yellow, Red Rock Pastel Society International Online Exhibition, 3rd Place
2024 Plein Air Salon, 13th Annual Plein Air Salon Final, BEST PASTEL
2023 American Tonalist Society, Shades of Gray ll, Curt Hanson Best of Show Award
2023 PSWC PASTELS USA: 99 Voices, First Place Contemporary Impressionism Duane Wakeham/Richard Sutherland
2023 Plein Air Salon, June, Third Place Award
2023 Plein Air Salon, July, Best Pastel Award
2023 Plein Air Salon, April, Best Bird and Animal Award
2022 PSWC Membership Show, First Place
2020 PSWC Membership Show, First Place
2019 PSWC Membership Show, First Place
2017 Plein Air Salon, First Place Dec/Jan
2015 Maynard Dixon Country, Patrons Choice Award
2015 PSWC International Pastels USA, Wakeham/Sutherland Award
2014 California Art Club’s Gold Medal Exhibition, Award of Excellence
2014 Paso Art Fest, Award of Excellence
2007 PSWC International Pastels USA, Best of Show
2007 The Pastel Journal’s Pastels 100, Grand Prize Award
2006 American Artist and Forbes Gallery, Trinchera Ranch Project
