We all start somewhere...

My first art show at Seattle Pacific University

I was my parents worst nightmare. In college, I called them one afternoon and said, I'm quitting the teaching degree, and going 100% into art. They thought I was unstable or likely didn't know that people don't become artists. But somehow, intrinsically I deeply knew that this what I wanted. You can feel the energy beaming from my smile in the image above as I stood in front of my very first public art show in 2016. Call it naivety, but I believed that I didn't have to live a "normal" life succumbed to boring. This college showcase featured in the image stressed me out to all ends, and was the first time I had gone abstract with my creations. It wasn’t my best pieces, but it was my start to what I knew was going to be something bigger.

I didn't become a full-time artist overnight, and I think thats critical to point out to a world that's always selling a course on how to make a million dollars in passive income overnight. It took close to 10 years to become "successful", but my desire to paint is deeper than the vanity metrics. I genuinely want to create, because these paintings are my legacy. I want someone to look at my work in a 100 years and feel inspired.

My artistic voice is a constant evolution and discovery. I never sat down to figure out "my style", it just naturally evolved. The more work I create, the more my voice has shown through. Color theory and colors run deep in my art because I believe color is a powerful tool for speaking. Why do sunsets leave your jaw on the ground and take your breath away? It’s just colors. But the way they come together can literally change how you FEEL. That’s how art works too. Art that uses color in a powerful way should take your breath away. Or be something you can’t stop staring at. Within each of my pieces I weave stories, feelings, spiritual world and spontaneous things that peak my interest. I don't always go into the studio knowing what's going to come out. This open ended mystery I believe makes for my best work.

My hope is that my story encourages you to begin. For you to begin your passion, whether that's to cook exquisite meals, craft beaded jewelry or read to children at the library. There is magic when we tap into our souls purpose, and I hope you get the delight of feeling that vibrancy in your life.

Remember, we all start somewhere.

Much love & peace,

Kristine

The Best Artists In Bend, Oregon

Image of a pop up art gallery I hosted at Love Bird Yoga

I bet you thought I would write down a list of my favorites and hand them off to you. Unfortunately, It's not gonna happen. Writing down a list of the "best" takes away from the process of discovery and trust in the viewer (you!).

Art is subjective, and so trying to pin down the "best artist of Bend" isn't necessarily possible. Not only are there an abundant number of wonderful creatives in this community, I want to also empower you to take the wheel and decide on who your favorite artists are. So here's what I am going to share instead: HOW TO FIND THE BEST ARTISTS IN BEND.

Are we dwelling in the brewery late at night or are you going to find us at the local ramen joint? I will spell out below where you can spot us and our works in the wild so you can discover your favorite art in this community!

1. Go to coffee shops. I frequently show my work at coffee shops & most of my favorite artists in town also do. Most cafes do month long rotations which mean every month there's a new feature! Some great spots to view art are: Fix & Repeat, The Commons, Thump Coffee, and Velvet.

2. Attend First Friday in Downtown, Bend or Redmond, Oregon. Great opportunities to meet artists, see the work and browse local. If you prefer no crowds, just go to Downtown Bend in the middle of the week and peruse local cafes and stores. There are lots of local art prints, and local art available. Check out Layor Art store downtown for a great selection!

3. Hit the local Farmers Markets. I frequently show at Northwest Crossing Farmers Market & I have seen so many of my other creative friends do the same. This is a great way to see a lot of art in one stop.

4. Bend Summer Fest & Fall Fest. These act as a community hub happening annually, and SUPER kid friendly in case you have a stroller of little munchkins towing along. They happen in Downtown Bend, with the streets closed off for booths. This is an all day event, and worth the adventure!

   
   

   

   A Close Up Image of The Painting "Boundless" By Kristine Cooper

   
   

Keep an open mind get out into the community! You never know when you'll stumble upon an artwork or artist that speaks to you, so just keep your eyes open for the wonder of discovery.

Are there places I forgot to mention that you think are worth heading to discover art? List them below in the comments, I'd love to hear about how you discovered Best Artists Of Bend, Oregon!

Cheers, Kristine Cooper

Kristine holding her new artwork "Boundless"

What my booth looks like at a farmers market or Bend Summerfest

Pregnant & Living as a Creative Entrepreneur

Art I've made while pregnant

I've questioned whether I should write about this because it feels incredibly vulnerable to share. Did you know I have been afraid of becoming a mom and what it would do to my career. Would people still want to support my art and creativity, or would they see it as a hobby? I realized that I have been living under a lie that I hadn't faced until this new phase. I haven't been able to do the same amount of things as I did earlier in my career having this baby, but you know what? I am healthier, happier and not burnt out. I am taking care of myself in a way that I lacked before. My self talk has shifted from "I should do this" to "let's just try and see how far we can go". I am stopping when my body is calling me to rest, and working when I have the energy, enthusiasm, and life force to create. Truly I feel like I am understanding what it means to go with the flow in a whole new way.

Work In Progress While Pregnant

In August 2023 I had hit a rock bottom place. I wasn't holding strong boundaries, and I had overworked using caffeine as a crutch to give me false energy. I had a large commission that was asked of me to be completed in an unrealistic timeline. I did it to make the client happy and in return I was burnt out. I had been giving and giving and giving without stopping for myself, and that project was the last straw. At a massage late last summer I noticed that I couldn't breathe out very well, and I knew something was wrong. I had to take a large break from painting and work. I stopped drinking coffee (something I had done for 11 years), and slowed down as much as I could. The guilt would creep in every time I rested. A nagging feeling that I wasn't enough unless I finished something. Maybe you can relate? After-all, we live in a hustle culture that rewards working yourself into exhaustion as normal.

I don't think I took a full break from business until I went on my honeymoon to Disney World in Fall 2023. That break shifted my mindset, and I came back recharged for the first time in months. Getting pregnant was a miracle. I didn't plan on this event happening, and I thought due to my crash of energy earlier in the year that it would have been nearly impossible. I have had some tremendous challenges to face while I've been pregnant, but I still feel better than I did last year.

Completed work while pregnant

So truly... what has it been like to be pregnant and running a business like this?

I am honestly so happy that I got to work from my home studio the past 9 months. I've felt that some people want to pause on getting art, or they don't want to burden me while I'm pregnant. The truth is, my art career is the soul, passion and life I CHOSE to live. I am working at a pace that is sustainable today and feels good for me. It's enriched and even better than before I was pregnant. Now I am discovering a new beautiful way to running this business that is life giving and brings me authentic joy.

Thank you for reading along this wild journey and being a part of my life!

Cheers, Kristine Cooper

Pregnant & Living as a Creative Entrepreneur