Kimberly Lavoie
Your Creative Worship Writer
Kimberly Lavoie grew up in Montana, attended college in Washington and then moved to Northern California for graduate school to complete a Ph.D. in Bioorganic Chemistry. Following post-doctoral research, she worked as a lecturer in the Chemistry department at U.C. Berkeley, helping teach organic chemistry to non-majors.
After the birth of her oldest child she stepped away from chemistry to be a full time mother. A few years later, twins joined the family and her days were full of mothering. As the children grew, so did her free time, allowing her to explore other interests including running a small bookkeeping business, writing, music, and art.
Kimberly is a founding member of the West Coast Christian Writers, and recipient of the "Promising New Writer" 2023 Goldie Award.
While Kimberly was in high school the church she was attending began offering Precept Bible studies. Learning the inductive Bible study method changed her experience with scripture and became her favorite way to learn about God's word.
During graduate school she attended a group sponsored by InterVarsity that used manuscript study which took inductive study to a new level. Beginning with observing just the scripture text opens up new questions that can be explored in more depth to interpret and apply the text.
Music has always been an important part of Kimberly's life. She grew up in a music saturated household. Both parents were singers. Mom played keyboard instruments. Kimberly and her brother were both encouraged to learn piano and other instruments. There was almost always music playing or being played.
Kimberly remembers singing her first solo in church at the age of five. She took piano lessons on and off through college, and learned to play flute and bass clarinet. As life got more crowded, only the singing remained as a consistent musical outlet. She has participated in small groups and large choirs, including a Gospel Choir.
During high school Kimberly started practicing the art form shown here which she dubbed "scribbles." Created by layering interlocking geometric forms, drawn freehand to some desired level of density, the resultant form is both simple and complex. Although this started as a way to pass free time in school, she realized that "scribbling" actually helped her focus on listening during lectures.
Kimberly's fascination with color and geometric forms has expanded with other art pieces that she uses to explore and express emotions. She uses a variety of media including fabric (quilting), ink, paper collage, and acrylic paint.
Her art has been included in local art shows, including Art Embraces Words (March 18, 2023) and the Lamorinda Arts Alliance Ekphrasis Exhibit (May 6, 2023).
