Kristen’s earliest childhood inspirational recollections channel memories of Enid Blyton and May Gibbs, fused with a fascination for botanical art and childhood observations of her father hand painting ornate and decorative gold leaf signs.
As a child growing up in rural Victoria, Australia, Kristen can’t remember a moment where the family didn't own a pet of some kind; from sheep, cats, dogs, cows, chickens, rabbits or birds. Residing close to native bush and animals meant that the family had a deep appreciation and respect for nature; camping, picnics, and road trips were just a part of life.
As her father was a traditional sign painter, pens, pencils and paints were never out of reach for the children of the household. Coupled with her mother’s creative strengths, there was a lot of encouragement within the arts.
Throughout High School Kristen was very lucky to have nurturing and encouraging art and craft teachers who inspired her to follow her creative interests. It seemed only natural that she follow a career path of this kind.
Years later, vocational studies in Graphic Design lead to a career in that industry. More recently, however, brilliant natural pigmented paint colours and beautifully textured handmade papers increasingly lured her from a screen of digital designs to hand painted art, her true passion and where it all began.
Today, she resides on the Mediterranean Island of Cyprus where she lives with her own family. She pursues her art from a home studio surrounded by pine, olive and carob trees and is genuinely inspired on a daily basis by the beautiful landscape. Taking inspiration from the beauty and tranquility of local endemic plant and animal life and wealth of migrating birds Kristen creates artwork from memories, moments and imaginings, often deviating to Australian plants and animals as homage to her roots. With the natural environment as her gateway and watercolour as her medium she explores themes of dislocation, home, nostalgia and connections.
Kristen’s work is highly detailed and uniquely crafted on a small scale. She thoroughly enjoys the research, study and planning behind each piece. This diligence results in a beautiful natural connection with her work and subjects: composition testament to her graphic arts background. Alongside watercolour she also explores graphite, ink pens and often applies gilding to further compliment her pieces.
Kristen believes that it is imperative that art has heart and that art, like life, is an explorative journey. When you connect art with your life you have rendered harmony. Surrounded by endemic flora and migratory birds Kristen says she is continually energized and grateful for all.