Kristianna is a multi-media artist whose work focuses on fine details of line-work, whether those lines are created with henna, ink, paint, by pyrography, or via Dremel bit. It’s not unusual to find her lost in a project on fabric, paper, canvas, leather, bone, wood, or stone surfaces until she feels ready to step back and let the piece speak for itself. Inspiration is derived from traditional mehndi art styles blended with nature motifs and a lifelong love of symbolism.
What mediums do you primarily work in, and what’s your favorite?
“Primarily”??? That’s funny. I don’t seem to have a “primarily,” but I definitely have favorites. Glass, wood surfaces, canvas, leather, bone, fabric… Rather dependent on my mood at any given time.
[editor’s note: Kristianna with paint on anything. She’s been known to paint on fallen leaves. If you stand still long enough, she’ll even paint on YOU; She’s locally famous for her henna tattoos.]
What are you working on right now (or most recently)?
At this moment, I seem to be into using rough crystals as mandala centers on round canvases or woodburned circles. I’ll design the mandala and burn or paint it, then secure a wire-wrapped crystal to the center of the piece.
What inspires you?
Everything. I once found myself intrigued enough by a wallpaper pattern in a public restroom that I took a photo of it for reference.
What are your strategies when you’re experiencing a creative lull?
Those dead zones! I’m fortunate enough to usually have glass painting requests as a pretty regular thing, so when I’m not feeling the vibe for new pieces I can just resort to the familiar and the repetitive until the juice comes back again.
How has your work evolved over the years?
I just found an old sketchbook while I was cleaning off a basement table. Thumbing through it, it’s easy to see the improvements over time. (Wow. Some of that was pretty bad.) Practice is the key!
What do you enjoy most about being a gallery docent?
Chatting with the people who visit! Especially in the summer, the opportunity to talk with tourists and tell them about our amazing little city, learning where they’re from, why they came to visit Marquette, what their plans are while they’re here.
Do you have any big art dreams that you’d like to share?
Big art dreams… I live in the practical, LOL! My Big Art Dream would to be able to draw an actual full-time income from my crazy art ideas.
Any advice for other aspiring artists?
Keep on doing what you love and never compare yourself to others – artists are defined from the INSIDE; how they feel when they create, why they are creating. Don’t judge what you are producing against others – if you need to create, you’re already an artist.
