Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kristae Peterson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kristae, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I knew I wanted to be an artist while sitting at the kitchen table with my grandmother as she taught me how to paint with watercolors. I didn’t even care if I was good at it, I just knew it was what I wanted to be.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, growing up in an entrepreneurial family, owning businesses was second nature. I am a wife, mother, and grandmother, and during a change in my life pursued my love of being an artist.

I consider myself an Abstract Expressionist painter. I believe that art evokes emotion through color. My process is very intuitive, I am an impatient painter. When I have an idea I act on it immediately; appreciating the flow of the unexpected. I use oil paint, oil sticks, fabric dye, livestock markers and encaustic wax on canvas and wood.

I am most proud of my thesis while earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at age 42. I had a desire to paint figural/nudes. I thought of painting myself and it scared me so I knew in my heart that I needed to do it. I used strong primary colors to offset being nude, or naked on canvas.
“When you are weak, you grasp onto your strength, and when you are strong you are aware of your weaknesses.

I respect sculptor Eva Hesse (1936-1970) “I cannot be so many things . . .woman, beautiful, artist, wife, housekeeper, cook, saleslady, all these things. I cannot even be myself or who I am…”

When I paint it is the time I can truly be myself.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I pursued being an artist later in life. I thought being an artist would be so much different than running a more traditional business. What I realized is that you can have a great product but if the customer does not like you they will not buy from you. I also learned that believing in what one sells is so important.

My big revelation as an artist is that I am the product! As an artist I need to believe in myself, not always easy. It makes what I do everyday very personal.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I now believe that what I am doing at this minute is what I am supposed to be doing. Early in my life I was always in a balancing act between business, family, relationships. I felt that I always needed to do more in all aspects to keep everything going.

I came to the conclusion that I can be more successful when I am not so hard on myself. I am still goal driven, in fact I get more creative when I have goals :).

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kristae.com
• Instagram: kristae_art
• Linkedin: [email protected]