About
San Francisco based artist, K. Sweetow also known as Kimberley or Kim, has been an artist all her life. Her imagination was vivid from childhood, nurtured by parents who supported her creative pursuits. Though she trained as a dancer, she found her deepest connection to be in the visual arts.
While still in high school and taking every art elective possible, Kimberley sought more art instruction at the College of Marin. She continued her art education through the rigorous freshman foundation program at the Rhode Island School of Design and went on to complete her studies and earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the San Francisco Art Institute.
Soon after entering the field as an emerging artist, her family grew, and her studio time shrank. She had already shown work at Hangar 1018 in Los Angeles, the Sausalito Art Fair, the Diego Rivera gallery in San Francisco, but parenting shifted her creative output into sewing stuffed toys and tiny clothes, building cardboard mansions, and volunteering for every art project at her kids’ schools.
As her children grew more independent, Kimberley found an opportunity in a small commercial space just 4 blocks from her apartment, a retired barbershop in the Richmond District of San Francisco that she transformed into her art studio, Art Studio 77. In an era when artists struggle to earn a living, galleries continue to close, and art fairs grow increasingly costly, her studio stands as a small but vital model of how artists make space for their work, creating, showing, and selling directly from where the art is born. It is there that she continues her practice, creating new work and welcoming visitors to view and purchase pieces directly from her studio.
K. Sweetow’s work reflects a lifelong engagement with materials, disciplined training, and the persistent commitment of an artist devoted to her studio practice. Since reentering the field, she has exhibited at Gallery-O-Rama, SOMArts, the Superfair, and Cafe Alma, while continuing to show her work at Art Studio 77. A Gen X woman who takes on many roles, she is, at her core, an artist. And like artists of the past and present, she creates work that serves as a document of the time we live in.
Frequently Asked Questions
For inquiries, please contact K. Sweetow via the contact page or email. Messages are welcome anytime.
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Currently you can see K. Sweetow’s work in The Richmond District of San Francisco at:
Art Studio 77
1804 Clement Street
San Francisco, Ca. 94121In August I will be exhibiting in the "Note To Self" group show at the Tryst Art Fair in Torrance, CA.
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Yes — many of the pieces you see are available for purchase. Prices range from $50 to $3,500 and are typically calculated by square inch. I also have additional lower-priced works in the studio (not all pictured) that range from $40 to $250. If you’d like dimensions, pricing for a specific piece, or photos of the smaller works, I’m happy to provide them.
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Yes, I’m always happy to create portraits and custom commissions that hold personal meaning for you. Whether it’s a carefully rendered portrait, a painted guitar pedalboard for your rig, or a series of editorial illustrations for print, I bring the same attention to composition and character to every piece.
What I offer
Personal portraits: Lifelike, representational paintings that capture likeness and personality.
Custom objects: Painted pedalboards, skateboards and other functional items turned into one-of-a-kind artworks.
Editorial work: Bespoke images developed to tell a story for your book, album cover, magazine, etc.
How commissions work
Pricing is calculated by square inch to give clear, scalable rates.
Depending on the complexity, materials, size, and deadlines, some commissions may incur additional fees.
I consult with each client to determine scope, timeline, and cost before work begins, and provide progress updates so the finished piece matches your vision.
Why commission a piece
A custom painting becomes a personal heirloom, tailored to the subject and your connection to it.
Custom objects like a painted skateboard merges utility with aesthetic impact.
Editorial commissions let you preserve stories visually and create a cohesive body of work for publication or display.
To discuss a commission, please share:
Reference images and any notes about the subject or story
Desired dimensions or an approximate budget
Timeline and any special requirements
I look forward to bringing your idea to life with thoughtful, representational painting that resonates.
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You can reach me anytime via the contact page or email.
You can also visit in person at:
Art Studio 77
1804 Clement St.
San Francisco, Ca. 94121Visiting hours are Fridays and Saturdays 12:00pm to 7:00pm
Private studio appointments are available by arrangement for collectors and curators.