ARTIST OF THE MONTH: KRISTINE
Who is Kristine?
Photo of Kristine
1. You are an amazing artist and your paintings are out of this world. Your use of color is very unique. Do you have a routine you do before you start a painting? Do you like to plan or do just go with your heart?
Thank you so much!!! I don't really have a set routine, I usually have an idea of what I want to paint then I will go from there. I use my own creative license when choosing a particular color palette, however a lot of my decisions come from little connections along the way during the process of one of my paintings that I find. It's hard to describe it's almost as if at some point the painting just takes on its own personality and finishes itself. I have a starting point, usually a reference image but whatever happens between what I see and what I paint always comes out different than what I had expected, and I like that process, creating something from something else and not knowing what the end result will be.
by Kristine
2. What is your first memory with art?
I always remember as a child drawing but when I really started to remember its impact on my life was when I was kindergarten or 1st grade. I had told my art teacher whom I loved, that I wanted to be an artist. She told me that day to always carry around a sketchbook and I started to do that, however It wasn't until high school that I became more serious about art. Actually it was quite strange I ran into this same teacher at the mall the summer before I left for college and I told her how I was pursuing life as an artist and she was so happy for me, she couldn't believe that I had still wanted to be an artist. I felt bad for her because she was working at the mall and no longer as an art teacher.
3. Who are your favorite artist or works of art and why?
As a painter I have many artists that I adore, the list is endless but some huge artists recently to me have been Gerhard Ritcher and Leif Podhajsky. I chose to highlight these two artists because Ritcher moves paint like he is moving mountains, the maturity of his brush stroke, his strength, and confidence are so evident in his paintings. His scale is quite overwhelming and powerful which is what is pushing me to create bigger pieces. Now Podhjasky is a younger artist who creates mainly digital pieces, which has been used by many artists as album cover artwork including, Tame Impala, Foals, Mount Kimbie etc. He is one of my favorite artists because he is doing what my dream job would be as an album cover artist, but I would like to do what he is doing but with paintings, sculpture, and textiles.
King Krule (top), Blood Orange(bottom) by Kristine
4. A lot of your art is inspired by music and musicians. How do those two go hand in hand for you?
Well experience and emotion is a huge part of what I am trying to convey through my paintings and for me concerts and music has always held that role for me. It's so simple how music inspires me it could be a bass line that envisions a scene in my head or it's a photo of Mario Cuomo going apeshit on the crowd, and its that captured snapshot that inspires me, seeing all the passion and the club lighting painting the faces of the musicians. There is something about that and freezing a moment in time that is so powerful to me.
5. Your favorite musicians are….
I have so many favorite musicians. Currently I've had Wild Onion on repeat through my brain. So right now Twin Peaks but some other of my favorite include MGMT, Tame Impala, Pond, Blood Orange, Grimes, Diiv, The Strokes, King Krule, FleetWood Mac, Cherry Glazerr, Mac Demarco, Girls, really the list is endless but here's a few that really contribute to my playlists.
6. How do you keep yourself inspired?
I keep myself inspired by walking around Downtown Oakland and listening to music, watching music videos, sketching, knitting/crocheting, and finding other artists. I also stay inspired by living life with my friends and keep experiencing different things. It's through experiences that inspire emotion to me and then I want to recreate those feeling to show others.
(by Kristine)
7. Besides amazing works of art, you are a work of art yourself. What would you say your fashion taste is? Do you have any fashion tips you’d like to share with us?
Aww thank you! I would say eclectic vintage. I mainly shop at thrift stores because I like finding things that are completely unique, weird, and from a long time ago. I also like the prices because of my artist budget, considering oil paints are so expensive. I also love to wear different fabrics, my teacher actually brought up to me how my wardrobe is similar to my paintings including my palette. Some tips I have are, DONT be afraid of mixing patterns and fabrics, wear what you want regardless of what anyone says, be daring don't be afraid to wear anything, be confident in your clothes, and own what you wear and how you wear it.
8. What are your guilty pleasures?
I like to think I don't have any guilty pleasures because if it brings you pleasure why should you feel guilty about it. However I do have things in life I do and feel like could be guilty pleasures like my love for crime shows and cookie butter with cocoa swirl (Trader Joes GO BUY IT NOW)
(by Kristine)
9. How does it feel to be going to college for art? Any advice on that?
It's actually very strange because it's a great creative atmosphere but at the same time you start to realize the pressures and expenses of being a "successful" artist. I have met some amazing friends who inspire me as an artist and the things I'm learning, my experiences in Oakland and San Francisco are something I wouldn't trade for the world. I realize now that art school was the only place I could have gone for further education personally for me after high school, I couldn't/wouldn't want to have gone to a regular university. I encourage people who are thinking about further education in art to research it, it's very worth it.
10. If you were to leave one thing to this world that would represent you,what would it be?
I guess I would have to say my backpack. I have so many patches, pins, and keychains from places I've been on it. I basically take it everywhere wether Im camping, going to school, or traveling. This backpack has carried so much in my life literally and metaphorically. Stained with paint I think its a great representation of myself.
(by Kristine)
11. One advice you'd give to people your age would be...
Follow your dreams, as cliche as it is. Just do what you want in life, don't consider anything else just do what would make you happy. That is what I'm doing I'm not trying to become a billionaire I'm just making art because it makes life more bearable for me personally. Just make yourself happy first and spread jah love.
find Kristine at her instagram: @ desiredandwired and tumblr : desiredandwired.tumblr.com
Interview by Hazal Kelleci
