Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Kim Sharples, an award-winning photographer, is one more example of the great people in Kimball. She remains active with her family, business and volunteer activities - using her affinity for photography and her skills to help others learn.
Kim Sharples came to Kimball after her son moved his family here. With three grandchildren and a fourth on the way, Sharples stays active with her growing family, as well as her business, Earth Blessings Photography, and she has been a much-sought-after local volunteer since her arrival.
"I have done a lot of volunteer work here," she said. "I've done stuff with the 4-H group and I was president of the Kimball Business Boosters for a year. I love to volunteer and help others."
She has served on boards for the Kimball Area Foundation, among others, and was the president of the local Shutterbugs Photography Club. Additionally, she and her husband coach soccer and little league for their grandchildren's' teams.
Sharples, a member of the Cheyenne Camera Club and the Cheyenne Artist Guild, is perhaps best known locally for her photography. She submits many photos to the Western Nebraska Observer and she has prints that can be purchased in Cheyenne and Colorado Springs studios.
She is proudest of the photos she has taken that are currently on display at Main Street Market, though she was nervous when she was told how large those prints would be.
"That was pretty awesome to see that I have five pictures hanging up there," she said. "They are huge. When they said how big they were going to make them I was nervous! I have never seen one of my pictures blown up that big."
Though she has recently cut back serving on local boards, Sharples continues to volunteer her time focused more closely on her favorite personal pursuit – photography. But she is careful to leave enough time for her business and home life as well.
"I was in a lot of photography groups in Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo and those people taught me and I still have a lot to learn, but I will share what I know. When I did the 4-H group it was a lot of fun to watch the children go and do it," she said. "I have been doing the Kimball Farmer's Day Baby Photo Contest. This is my third year doing that. I get people to email in the pictures and I line up three independent judges that aren't from here and don't know anyone."
She often volunteers her time to help others with their own photography and she has taught photography workshops for area 4-H students that include making a photograph fit each individual artistic vision – making it your own.
"Ultimately, you want to do what you like, what makes you happy," she said. "I always try to do an artistic effect and make my picture different from others."
Sharples occasionally competes in photography contests, such as the recent "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" contest, as well as competitions through the Cheyenne Camera Club and many in Nebraska.
She was recently informed that four of her photographs were selected to be showcased in the "Bridges: Sharing our Past to Enrich the Future" Sesquicentennial Photo Exhibit.
The exhibit, officially endorsed by the Nebraska Governor's Sesquicentennial Committee (The Nebraska 150 Commission), is sponsored by the Hildegard Center for the Arts, the Nebraska Tourism Commission and the Nebraska State Historical Society.
The exhibition will serve to connect Nebraskan's with their culture, highlighting historic places and "often over-looked historical treasures in all 93 counties of the state."
One photo submission was selected for each Nebraska county, and Sharples' work was chosen for Kimball, Banner, Cheyenne and Deuel counties.
These works will be featured in a traveling exhibit in 2017, to coincide with the 150th anniversary celebration and may be used in tourism guides and calendars as well.
Though she cannot give a sneak peek of those photos, and in fact can't even describe them, per contest rules, she is excited for her work to be seen and, most importantly, enjoyed by others.
Being awarded for doing well that which you love is great.
"Although winning awards is awesome, when somebody pays money for a piece of my work that means something – that they were willing to spend money and hang it in their home," she said.
Kim's work, whether it is photography, jewelry or any other artistic pursuit she fancies, can be seen at A Collective Gathering in Potter and in a similar space she shares with her daughter in Colorado Springs.