I am so happy to share a interview today that I did with one of my amazing sponsors, the ever lovely and creative Kristin Dudish. Kristin was a fellow Kelly Rae flyer, and I was fortunate enough to connect with her through that experience. She is truly a delightful woman, full of creative energy and boundless inspiration, and I couldnt be more excited to share a bit of her world with you here today.
Tell us more about your creative process as an artist/crafter? (what inspires you? how do you get new ideas? what kind of environment do you like to have when you create?)
I believe that inspiration is everywhere! I am inspired by words and phrases, music, books, art materials, other artists, my surroundings (I've even found inspiration in my shower curtain)...I could go on and on! The truth is that while I'm working on one project, my mind is already starting on next one - If only my hands could keep up! I am fortunate to have a small studio space in my house, but my favorite place to create is my screened-in porch (it is so wonderful to feel the current crisp fall breezes while I'm creating). I also have a tendency to spread out all over the house... The dining room, the living room, the bedroom... My poor family! hee hee
What do you love so much about the particular medium that you work with? How does it express a bit about who you are?
Although I work in many different mediums and love them all for different reasons, my favorite medium is acrylic paint - I love it's versatility... you can use it thick, thin, with a brush, with a knife, or with your fingers... the possibilities are endless! I also love that if something isn't working I can simply paint over it and start "fresh"!
Who/What were your influences growing up that led you to choose this craft/art as a large part of your life today?
I was very lucky to receive lots of encouragement from family, friends, and teachers at an early age. As a shy child, art was my way of expressing myself. When I was 10 years old I painted my first “mural”. My fifth grade teacher hung paper floor to ceiling the length of our classroom wall and told me to “Go for it!”. Looking back, that was a pivotal moment in my artistic career. It was the moment it started to become clear that my art might be valued by people other than my family and myself. Throughout school I continued to use my art as a form of communication. Instead of passing notes, I drew pictures for my classmates, and by the time I reached high school I knew that I wanted to turn my passion into a career.
What one step/phase did you take in your creative journey that is most memorable/makes you the most proud?
From 2000 to 2007, I was the proud co-owner of “Brush of Class”, a mural and decorative painting company. It was during that time that my confidence grew exponentially. I was able to do what I love full-time and I finally accepted that being an artist and supporting yourself don’t have to be mutually exclusive. It was also during that time that I realized that while I was doing what I love, I could also be helping others. It was that realization that led to one of the most unbelievable experiences of my life… my Oprah adventure!
Where do you hope to be creatively with your art/craft in 5 years?
I am passionate about pairing art and kindness and hope that 5 years from now I am continuing to find ways to do that! I also hope to still be playing with new materials, learning new techniques, and at some point I would love to write a book and teach classes!
Thank you so much Kristin for sharing these stories and being such a wonderful inspiration and encouragement to so many creative people. Find out more about Kristin on her BLOG and join in the fun of her FRIDAY PAINT PARTIES! She also sells her beautiful creations on ETSY. I encourage you to visit her creative world. She is truly a beautiful soul and you will really enjoy your time spent getting to know her. I definitely have. Thanks for stopping by this shiny Monday. Come back tomorrow for a long overdue Art Journal video.
XO, HARMONY
