Hang Gliding On Skis – New Painting

November 14, 2022November 14, 2022 | Inspire by Kim

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.

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.

Commissioned Paintings

If you would like a bespoke artwork created just for you email inspirebykim@outlook.com

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Book Signing At Pendle Ski Club Open Day

September 20, 2022September 20, 2022 | Inspire by Kim

I’ll be at the annual Pendle Ski Club Open Day on Sunday 2nd October signing Ski A to Z first editions.

Pendle Ski Club Open Day offers free 30 minute fully instructed trial ski sessions from 10am until 4pm (arrive at 3pm for the last session). This is a great opportunity to get a taste for skiing and try the sport.

Pendle Ski Club is a member owned ski club in the Ribble Valley of Lancashire, home of Dave, ‘The Rocket’ Ryding, four times Olympian and Kitzbuehel Champion.

Follow in Dave Ryding’s ski tracks at Pendle Ski Club – Source: GBSnowsport.com

Looking forward to meeting lots of people at Pendle and helping to demystify skiing for those who are new to the sport with the tips, information and advice packed into the Ski A to Z book.

My Pendle BackStory

I always enjoyed racing and race training at Pendle, it is a well maintained slope fabulously situated for incredible far-reaching views, and of course the added mystique of the stories of the ‘Lancashire witches’ in that area.

Kim slalom racing at Pendle Ski Club, back in the day.

Our school ski team won the North-West Ski Federation School’s Championship four years out of five at Pendle Ski Club which is probably a factor in my fondness for the slope.

Rossendale Free Press coverage of our third team win. We were two sibling pairs, the Harwoods and the Kays.

I remember good times skiing with friends there, and in particular a weekend training camp when it rained constantly both days, great conditions for artificial slope skiing, but we were drenched, so it was comforting to have the cosy club house to get warm during our breaks.

Ski A to Z is an illustrated introduction to skiing published by Meyer and Meyer Sport (UK).

For more information about the event and Pendle Ski Club, click here.

national Snow Show 2022

If you’re not able to get along to Pendle come along to the National Snow Show at NEC Birmingham on 15th and 16th October. I will have art prints, greeting cards and will be signing copies of Ski A to Z at stand D76, next to the Red Bull VIP Lounge.

If you would like to pre-order wall art prints and signed copies of Ski A to Z, to avoid potential disappointment and postage charges, complete the quick form here.

More information about my activity at National Snow Show is here.

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Franz Klammer with Ski A to Z!

June 14, 2022June 14, 2022 | Inspire by Kim

A dream came true today! The legendary Franz Klammer now has a copy of Ski A to Z.

Thanks to Arnie Wilson for this picture and for introducing Franz to my book! This was Franz and Arnie at the Visit Austria golf day today.

Franz inspired me as the iconic ski racer as we were growing up. Having met Franz on a few occasions and been coached by him as a youngster, I’ve been keen for Franz to see my book.

I bumped into Franz at the Hannenkahm race whilst I was working in Austria teaching children to ski.

I can’t wait to see the film of Franz’s story Chasing The Line, which premiered in the UK last night.

Ski A to Z is published by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK). For more information and and links to buy click here.

See my latest posts here:

Ski A to Z Book Signing/ Meet The Author

June 13, 2022June 15, 2022 | Inspire by Kim

I’m looking forward to my next Ski A to Z book signing appearance on Monday 20th June at the British Schools Indoor Open Championships at Chill Factore (indoor snow slope) in Manchester.

“The National Schools Snowsports Association (NSSA) is holding the British Schools Indoor Open Championships – supported by Snowsport England. The event is open to individuals and teams from junior and senior schools across the UK.” Source eola.co

I will be there signing books and chatting to schools about how Ski A to Z can help pupils, parents and teachers to prepare for ski trips with school, and to have a great foundation in skiing.

I’ll have Ski A to Z books available, special bookmarks created especially for this event and more. If you’ve already bought a copy of Ski A to Z then bring it along for signing.

Here’s a picture from my first book signing at Ski Rossendale in Lancashire, UK, the artificial ski slope where my ski story began.

Ski A to Z is an illustrated introduction to skiing suitable for all ages. Ski A to Z is packed with information and tips for skiers of all ages.

For information, testimonials and sample spreads from the book click here. Ski A to Z is published by Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK).

Click here for more information about the organisations – National Schools Snowsports Association, Snowsport England and Chill Factore.

Here’s to a great future for new generations of skiers.

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