Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirstyn Colbert.
Hi Kirstyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a self taught artist. I learned a few tricks from a couple mentors along the way but my skills come from countless hours of practice. I started doing art younger than I can remember. It has always been my favorite thing to do. I would spend hours drawing for fun, to be a better artist, to escape reality, to calm my mind, to challenge myself and to bring joy to others. Each piece I’ve ever made has at leaste one of these intentions behind it. Art is my safe space. As I got older I drew less and painted more. Around the time I was 18 my friends started insisting they pay me for my art. That set me down a path of making it my career. I’m 28 now and I’ve created and sold over 600 pieces of art big and small. Everything from small magnets, stickers, tattoo designs, canvases of all sizes and even a few murals now. Ive shipped art to multiple states. I’ve been in art shows/festivals in my hometown, Peru, Fort Wayne, and Indianapolis. I was even lucky enough to display at a RAW art show at the Egyptian Room in Indianapolis. I have also hosted a few of my own art shows/vendor events. I plan to do art forever regardless of how successful I am but my goal is to be able to share my art with the whole world.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been some bumps in the road and discouraging moments. When life’s changes or gets busy it can be hard to find time and space to create. I begin my current relationship 3 years ago and my boyfriend has 4 children. Learning to balance being a step mother and a full time artist was a challenge but it’s easier now and I love my wonderful children like my own. They are some of my biggest supporters. Having a break in sales and recognition can be hard but I always fought through it and continued to hone my skills. We are our own worst critics, however learning to go with the flow and let art be art has changed me. Persistence has definitely paid off. I’m doing better than ever currently in my art career. It also helps a lot that my little sister, mother, boyfriend and bestfriends all give me so much love, support and help when I need it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I paint with acrylic paints and paint markers, normally on canvas. However I will paint on whatever I can get my hand on, furniture, trinkets, walls, etc. I paint a lot of trippy and surreal art. Mushrooms, trippy faces, skulls, animals and nature are what I paint the most. I have been drawing and painting skulls since I was a small child actually. I love painting animals of all kinds. I like to find fun reference photos and just take off. It has really progressed my skills and hand eye coordination. I’m getting to the point of not needing references photos for my realism art. I feel like what sells the most for me depends on the crowd I am surrounded by. I sell a lot of animal portraits, but I also sell a lot of trippy art and dark art. I have supporters with all types of personality’s.
What sets me apart from other artists is my style I believe, I like to show everyone the world from my point of view.
Any big plans?
I am hoping to do more murals in the future. I have done 3 so far and they all have just so happened to be underwater themed. So they feature a lot of big colorful fish and coral. I also hope to start going to more out of town events to display/sell my art again. My vehicle has been broken down for almost 2 years now but is currently getting fixed. I want my art to be experienced through more of my state, country and even across the world.
Pricing:
- I have small art as cheap as $5
- I have sold larger pieces of art for as much as $1,000
- This can be shared
Contact Info:
- Instagram: KCOLBERT Artworks
- Facebook: Kirstyn Colbert Artwork
