ABOUT

Hi there, I’m Kim!

I am the artist behind Fran & Judy, founded in 2021 as a result of a lifetime of artistic appreciation, a love of homemade heirlooms, and the good fortune of my remarkably nimble fingers.  I am an avid thrifter and antique enthusiast with a love of color and folk art. 

I am incredibly lucky to have had two inspirational matriarchs guide me in the skills of embroidery as a young girl growing up in rural Northern Michigan. My grandmother, Fran, and mother, Judy, are the inspiration and namesakes for my brand. Fran’s career as a florist enlivened my interest in balance and organic beauty while Judy’s steady hand taught me the power of capturing decorative florals within other media. 

Working with felt, embroidery, and surface design, I aim to create pieces reminiscent of folk art florals while building a whimsical world of layered texture and vibrant color. Fran & Judy is my space to thread tradition with playfulness and craft with fine art.

When I’m not doodling, snipping felt, or stitching floss, I enjoy cuddling my pups, Ruby and Leo, and exploring the natural wonders that Michigan has to offer with my husband, Kyle. You can find us hiking, cross-country skiing, and spending time on the many lakes and streams of the mitten state. 

Listen to Kim’s interview on Art Beat which aired on November 25, 2022 on WMUK 102.1 NPR

A bit more about Kim

Kim received a Masters Degree in Historic Preservation from Eastern Michigan University in 2013 and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art History and Visual Culture from Michigan State University in 2010. She has spent over a decade working in exhibit design and education for museums and art centers. Among them, the Detroit Institute of Arts, Krasl Art Center, and Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. She also sits on the board of directors for the Lansing Art Gallery and Education Center.

Kim’s work is available at several curated shops including The Local in Wausau, Wisconsin, Farrand Hall in Colon, Michigan, and previously at the W.K. Kellogg Manor House & Gardens in Hickory Corners, Michigan. She was named a member of the Benzie Design Maker Team in 2022 and has partnered with them on many felt-based projects. Additionally, she has collaborated on designs with Kalamazoo Candle Company and Elemental Press in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Her art is held in numerous private collections including homes in Washington, D.C., Detroit, Michigan, and Seattle, Washington.