Cassandra Kim is a new contemporary artist whose work centers around anthropomorphizing animals in portraits that are inspired by paintings of the past. With a lifelong love of animals and traditional art, she seeks to put her surrealistic twist on her work. She is a Virginia native and 2003 BFA Illustration graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University. After graduation, she worked as a muralist and graphic artist for Trader Joe’s for 15 years. In 2013, the Klondike Gold Rush National Park and Chilkoot Historical Site awarded Cassandra with an artist residency. In 2018, she turned her focus to her art. She realistically creates her paintings with acrylic and oil and frames them using vintage or antique frames that she often restores herself. She is branching out into using reclaimed wood pieces. She has had solo shows in Richmond and Chicago and has shown in group exhibits across the United States and the United Kingdom. Her studio is located in Richmond, Virginia.