With no “formal” training, Kim Male has spent a lifetime perfecting her skills as an artist for friends and family. Her passion for painting, she says, was inherited from her late Grandfather, Raffeal DellaRocco a self- taught oil painter from the early 1900’s. After his passing, her grandmother had 4 children to raise, including her Father, Sam. Her grandmother began selling her husband’s work to raise enough money to relocate to Rochester, where her Father, Sam and Mother, Betty still reside. Raised in Greece with her sister Sandy and brother Ralph, Kim spent many years experimenting with painting, often having her parents come home to some very artistic creations! Not wanting to inhibit her creativity, her parents always encouraged her work and her desire to paint and draw have never faded.

Kim’s sponsor for the Windows on Irondequoit project is also her boss, Jack Herrema. She has worked for Herrema’s Food Market for 9 years as a cashier, customer service clerk and most recently as the Health and Beauty Aids Manager. Jack has seen the creative side of Kim, knows that perfectionist side of her, and sees her with “her” customers, many of which have become good friends to her. He has faith in her work, loved all of the designs submitted and agreed with her on the final proposal entitled Raffeal’s Dancers.

Raffeal’s Dancers, named specifically for her grandfather, was inspired by her love of Carousel Horses and her love of family and friends. The horses shown are named Fifi, after her late Aunt and confidante, Teresa, after her best friend, whose courageous struggle with cancer taught her not to give up on her dreams and Babe, a long time, loyal customer of Herrema’s, who, at age 85 always tells her like it is! It’s a very sentimental project for Kim, one that has brought both sadness and great happiness. It’s also been a tremendous thrill to be a part of this project and to be known as the artist from Herrema’s.