As a special birthday gift I painted this artwork for my best friend Katy, hang gliding in the mountains.
When we had this experience in the French Alps as youngsters my friend’s photo never arrived. So now she has a painting to remember the experience by.
I used online research, my black and white photo of the experience, and photos of Katy around that age, to create the sketches for the piece.
The hang glider’s camera was mounted on the wing and during the flight the pilot took the shot by remote control. The photos were then developed and (in theory) posted.
My Hang Gliding Picture
Setting off with skis pointed straight down the slope until the wing took flight and gliding over the resort below was exhilarating. I remember that it was chilly and I felt the elements as I was wearing my race suit as I had raced giant slalom earlier that day.
Each member of Katy’s family took the hang glider and all four pictures went missing, so the experience has always had the disappointment of the photos not arriving, associated with it.
The hang gliding on skis experience was in Alpe d’Huez, France when we were there for the English Championship Easter races.
Painted in Kuretaki watercolours on 100% cotton paper.
I framed the painted and surprised Katy with it for her birthday.
National Snow Show: It was lovely to see Katy reunited with Chammy Alcott at my stand at the National Snow Show in Birmingham last month. Chemmy and Katy room shared for a time during their ski racing careers.
This new artwork is for this darling human. Loved by so many of us. Thanks Katy for all your love and support, and for being you.
In this one we talked about the coming season, ski fabrics, Ski A to Z, Boston Ski and Snowboard Expo and The National Snow Show.
This was my second appearance on the Ski Bum podcast, so it was great to catch up on what has happened in the incredible past year and look forward to what is coming up. As we chatted we both had copies of Ski A to Z to hand and were able to reference the work and tips there, that was a nice twist on a conversation that spanned that Atlantic. (Click on the pic for the podcast episode from 2021.)
Pic from Ski Bum Podcast in 2021
Thanks so much Brian and Mario. Awesome news is that they will be hosting at Boston Snowbound Expo next month. Congratulations guys, great recognition for the Ski Bum Podcast.
Brian asked for episode art, so I created a new variation of my ‘Ski Goggles’ fabric/ wallpaper design on Spoonflower to represent three people. See my 20+ designs at my Spoonflower shop.
Back to the prep now for The National Snow Show. Lots to do to get ready, can’t wait!! Come meet me and check out my work at stand D76, by Red Bull and the SnowDome ski slope and on the Crystal Snow Skills stage on Sunday afternoon when I will be sharing my top tips for beginner skiers with illustrations from Ski A to Z on the big screen for the first time!! Ski A to Z is published by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK). More about the show here.
Had a great time chatting to Tim on the @skirexmedia podcast. All about the upcoming National Snow Show, ski season and fun on the slopes.
Listen 🎧 at this link. It’s a great podcast and it’s fun to follow Tim and his ski experiences.
This was the second time of talking to Tim for the Ski Rex Media podcast, we first spoke in November 2021. When we looked at Dan Egan’s book 30 years In a White Haze and chatted about Ski A to Z.
Tim Meyer and Kim chatting for the Ski Rex podcast in November 2021
We talked about the National Snow Show and that I will be signing Ski A to Z books there and will be selling high quality art prints at my stand D76.
Just a reminder that prints are available for Pre-Order (to avoid disappointment and potential shipping charges when we run out of stock at the event.) See my Shop to Pre-Order (last few days to do this are now!)
I’m looking forward to speaking at the National Snow Show on 15th and 16th October at Birmingham NEC, UK. Come along on Sunday 16th when I’ll be sharing ski tips and advice. Tim Meyer will be at Boston Expo in November.
I also talk about how I will be donating some Ski A to Z book sales proceeds from each day of the show to Snow Camp charity to help youngsters, who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity, to try the sport.
bSkier from Ski A to Z bookSkier from Ski A to Z book.
The National Snow Show is at Birmingham NEC on October 15th/16th 2022. More information here. I’m so looking forward to seeing everyone at the show!
Ski A to Z is published by Meyer & Meyer Sport, more information about the book is here.
Thank you so much Tim, great to talk, and connect for the podcast. It was fun to do the recording and I’ve enjoyed listening again.
I’ll be at Ski Rossendale at The Hill to join the 50 year celebrations on 10th June 2023. I will be signing first editions of Ski A to Z, have art prints, greeting cards and some exciting new products.
Great news! My fabric designs are now available on Polartec® fleece! I have 30+ ski and snowsports themed designs to choose from in my growing Spoonflower shop. These can be printed on demand and shipped direct to you. #ski #snowsport #fabricdesign
“What sets it apart from other ski manuals is the visual feast that lifts the words off the page as your eye darts from the words to the image – as a visual learner, I was engaged by this approach a lot more than any other book and I couldn’t put it down.” Donna Richardson,…
Pre-order for collection at the National Show Show 2022 (15th and 16th October at NEC, Birmingham, UK) to save on postage charges. Use the order form below.
To save on postage fees and to avoid disappointment you can pre-order wall art prints and signed first editions of Ski A to Z for collection at The National Snow Show at my stand, D76.
Mounted wall art prints, Ski A to Z and original painting of the ski family.
Use the order form below, and the wall art prints will be ready for you to collect from me at stand D76 at The National Snow Show. Email the completed form to inspirebykim@outlook.com.
For more information and to see the art prints available to order click here.
Receive a free signed first edition Ski A to Z with every order of 6 wall art prints.*
The high quality giclee archival prints are professionally printed and mounted. The artworks are printed on 300 gsm 100% cotton paper and expertly displayed in a stunning glacier white mount.
The mounted prints are ready to frame and fit standard frame sizes.
Exciting news! I will be speaking at The National Snow Show 2022. The event is at the NEC Birmingham on 15th and 16th October.
I will also be at stand D76 signing first editions of Ski A to Z and offering snowsports art prints and greeting cards. Come along and get Christmas gifts sorted.
Come along to Stand D76
Here is the full story:
Inspire by Kim and Ski A to Z at The National Snow Show 2022
Kimberley Kay, Author and Illustrator of Ski A to Z – Illustrated Guide To Skiing will be speaking at the National Snow Show 2022 and has pledged support to Snow Camp charity at the show. Kim will be on the Snow Skills stage speaking on the subject of ‘Beginners skiing – 5 things to know before you hit the slopes for the first time’. The Snow Skills Stage is sponsored by Crystal Ski Holidays. vents
Screen Shot from The Snow Show Website
Kim will also be exhibiting her snowsports art and signing first edition Ski A to Z books at The Snow Show 2022 and has pledged the profits of Ski A to Z books, sold in the first hour of each day of the show, to Snow Camp charity, for its work introducing young people to snowsports.
Kim explained, “I’m excited to be be speaking at the National Snow Show 2022 in October. I will also be exhibiting at the show – signing first editions of Ski A to Z and offering products which reflect the joy and emotion of snowsports. My work is intended to make snowsports more accessible by empowering people within information, so that they feel confident to try skiing. Ski A to Z can also help those already enjoying the sport to benefit from tips and advice gained over 40 years of skiing.”
Stephen Morgan, MD of The National Snow Show said, “We are delighted that Kim will be joining the lineup at The National Snow Show, sharing her top tips for beginners taking up skiing. Inspiring more people to take part in snowsports is a big part of what The National Snow Show is trying to do and Kim’s passion for sharing her love of the outdoors in a creative way will bring a great element to the programme. The show is shaping up to be an incredible day out for all the family with a fantastic speaker schedule planned across the two days, interactive features to keep everyone entertained and over 150 brands in attendance, the countdown is now well and truly on!”
Kim continued, “I’m keen to support the work of Snow Camp, conscious of the difference that snowsports have made in my family’s lives, I value their work helping youngsters, who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to try the sport.”
Dan Keeley, Community & Partnerships Manager of Snow Camp, said, “Our sincere thanks to Kim and her game-changing Ski A to Z book on behalf of all the Snow Camp team. Kim’s generous support to donate a percentage of profits to Snow Camp at this year’s National Snow Show will have a direct impact on the young people support; namely funding more young people to join our two-day beginner First Tracks programmes in our 20th year. Not to mention the book itself inspiring our young people and opening their eyes to the wider world of snowsports beyond their experiences on our core Snow Camp programme journey. Kim, thank you; thank you for joining us for the journey to turn more young lives around with the power of snowsports.”
Kim’s book Ski A to Z– An Illustrated Introduction To Skiing was published in early 2022. The book, for all ages, intends to demystify skiing and make it more accessible. By providing information, advice and tips the book intends to help boost the confidence of new and novice skiers, and help keen skiers level up their enjoyment of the sport. Kim’s ski illustrations are intended to resonate with avid skiers and attract new people to the sport by demonstrating the exhilaration and joy of skiing.
In full colour hardback format and ebook, Ski A to Z is available to buy now with all online book retailers and through bookshops. More information about the book can be found at www.skiatoz.com. To see Kim’s range of ski themed products head to the Inspire by Kim Online Shop.
Selection of Snowsports Wall Art Prints by Kim
For free tickets to The National Snow Show 2022 use the code INSPIREBYKIM at check out before 7th September 2022. Tickets can be booked at the National Snow Show website.
Kimberley Kay has over 40 years of ski experience including racing and teaching, along with a career in travel public relations. After a career adjustment prompted by knee injury, Kim studied Art and Design and now promotes, writes and illustrates under the brand of Inspire by Kim. In late 2020 Kimberley created illustrations for Dan Egan and Eric Wilbur’s extreme skiing book 30 Years In a White Haze. Dan Egan will also be speaking at The Snow Show 2022.
Screen Shot from The Snow Show Website
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Ski A to Z is published by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) 2022 ISBN: 9781782552338
Kim learned to ski age 5 at the dry slope at Ski Rossendale, Lancashire and in Mayrhofen, Austria.
Kimberley has over forty years of ski experience including racing, teaching, and heli-skiing, as well as ski holiday promotion during a 20 year career in travel PR, which included running the TUI UK press office.
Kim creates art and illustration under the brand of Inspire by Kim, further info at www.inspirebykim.com
ABOUT SNOW CAMP CHARITY
Snow Camp are one of the UK’s most innovative charities dedicated to turning young lives around with the power of snowsports. Since 2003, Snow Camp’s award-winning programme journey (delivered at indoor slopes and the snow-capped peaks of the alps) has broken down barriers and broadened horizons for over 1000 disadvantaged young people year-on-year. By harnessing the power of skiing & snowboarding to developing life-skills, qualifications and vocational opportunities, and with tangible apprenticeship pathways or vocational opportunities available to every young person who completes the full programme journey, young people graduate with the famous Snow Camp blue jackets feeling confident & empowered to go onto any other positive destination in life on completion of the Snow Camp journey. As the charity approaches their 20th anniversary year in 2023, there’s never been a better time to get involved and support their work, so to find out more and get involved visit snow-camp.org.uk. Please also take the time to visit switch180.org.uk to learn more about the charities additional services to turn more young lives around.
ABOUT THE SKI A TO Z PUBLISHER: MEYER & MEYER SPORT
Meyer & Meyer Sport is Europe’s leading sports publishing house and isrenowned for delivering best content and professional expertise in the field of sports and health and fitness.
With a list of more than 2,000 titles, Meyer & Meyer’s range of products includes sports handbooks, practical how-to guides, self-improvement manuals, healthy-living guidebooks, nutritional bibles, through to biographies, the inspirational and the fun.
The publisher has made a string of recent UK-based author signings, as it continues to strongly focus on the international English-speaking marketplace.
Inspire by Kim 