Artist gives businesses a boost with holiday paintings

Kim Lonsky has been painting windows with her whimsical, upbeat style for a decade. Going into the holidays, her business booms and storefronts come alive with eclectic scenes.

This year, with the pandemic, some of her regulars dropped out.

“It’s been a tough year, and I totally understood,” Lonsky said. “They told me that they ‘simply did not have the money.’ Many of them had been forced to close for months, and it’s hard to get back on your feet again.”

But there was a silver lining.

“I generally focus on Sussex County, but this year, I also received calls from businesses in Montclair, Boonton, Cedar Grove, Kenvil and Totowa to paint windows,” she said. “It’s a word of mouth business or people see my work and call the number I paint on the side. They wanted to do something special this year for the holidays.”

Some businesses had Lonsky paint their windows to let folks know they are open.

“With some businesses, unless you actually drive in their lot, it’s hard to tell if they’re open,” Lonsky said. “Adding some fresh art work has let people know they’re open.”

Lonsky has always enjoyed art. She attended Wallkill Valley Regional High School and then studied as an Art Major at Sussex County Community College. She went on to take classes at The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Her artistic expressiveness led her to become a highly acclaimed nail artist in the beauty arena at the area’s prestigious Bella Medi Spa. She’s also freelanced creating water color and mixed media art.

Business began with holiday art

Ten years ago, she began painting windows. It started at the salon where she works and exploded around the county. Businesses owners noticed her windows and contacted her to have theirs done. Soon Lonsky had built up a regular customer base.

She leaves the design up to the business owner unless he or she wants her to create something. Lonsky uses acrylic latex paints so they can be removed whenever the business wants yet also can last for years if so desired.

Though her business began as something seasonal, around the holidays, it’s expanded to include daycare centers which want different murals throughout the year as well as to other holidays and businesses celebrating important anniversaries.

“This year, because of the pandemic, I had businesses requesting paintings honoring our healthcare heros,” she said.

Lonsky cited Tom Horuzy as an example.

“He owns Bathing Beauties, in Ogdensburg, and wanted to honor the police, firemen, nurses and healthcare workers’ courage with painted windows thanking them for their service,” she said.

The tribute blew up on Facebook.

Lonsky can be reached via her Facebook page at Window Art by Kim or by text/phone at 973-270-1985.