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
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