A lifelong art collector, Kristin sought out artists with distinctive, artistic voices and intriguing art practices. While living in DC area, she was fortunate to take drawing classes at The Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia. Years later, following a series of tragic events her medical career came to an end. Having served on Ward 57 at Walter Reed, she knew intimately the therapeutic strategies “wounded warriors” utilized to recover and strengthen neuro-plasticity. Kristin pulled out detailed maps, listened to never-heard music genres and put brushes to paper. With this commitment to the same “warrior” rehabilitation, not only did her daily life improve, but more importantly, an art practice developed and thrived. Kristin coordinated ergonomic work stations, practices and techniques to accommodate her challenges. Upon returning to her hometown of Dunedin, Florida, she embraced the art community—Dunedin Fine Arts Center (DFAC), Dunedin Creative Art Guild, The Exhibiting Society of Artists`(TESA), Professional Association of Visual Artists (PAVA) and Creative Pinellas. She exhibits monthly in galleries and public settings. If not in her studio, you will find her in workshops or classes, reading art history, as well as carving out time to admire other artists’ works. Today, many of her expressive paintings in acrylic and mixed media intertwine with multiple layers of paint with various levels of viscosity, markings, drips and abstraction. Her results heralded for the depiction of bold, figurative elements which mirror her unfailing motto—“Courageous suffering begets fierce joy.”
Statement
i do not live a world view. Nor do i paint a world view. i embrace my existence as a human being and life’s journey requires me to accept whatever suffering befalls me; yet, I seem to peer through a deeper lens. One that captures “fierce joy” despite the challenges of a human life “lived.” i will not hide suffering from my art practice nor do i choose a path that negates the suffering of other human beings. i am not a painting, nor merely an artist. I am a human being, “being.” And no matter how far short my endeavors fail, i accept a willingness to achieve art with humility, mercy and grace. The tender life of every human being is beyond value. My only wish—to capture the beauty of courage in the every day life of a human being, while remembering always my motto, “courageous suffering begets fierce joy.”
Courageous suffering begets fierce joy.
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