We recently connected with Kristin Ellison and have shared our conversation below.
Kristin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had started sooner?
From my first art class in nursery school, I knew that I loved taking materials and making something from them that became uniquely my own. Doing visual art has always been my favorite way to spend time. It’s the one activity I can truly loose myself in, falling into a meditative state. This passion followed me throughout school and I always took advantage of any art opportunity that was available. When it came to college, there was no question what my major would be. I ended up getting a BFA in painting and photography, but when I graduated I wasn’t confident I had what it took to make my living from my art. As a result I sought a career in graphic design, but a lucky break landed me at a leading fine art and photography coffee book imprint where I had the opportunity to work with incredible artists Since then I have spent the majority of my career working with fine artists and designers helping them express themselves via books and online courses all while my art supplies gathered dust.
Things changed when I purchased my first home and I finally had a space I could dedicate to creating. I always blamed my lack of space for my not doing art. When I got back creating, it was painful for a good long while as I regained my hand, which had been on hold for 20+ years. That said, I knew that if I could push through creating a sizable chunk of work that did not meet my expectations, I’d eventually get to a point where I felt things were clicking. It took a few years, and I am far from there, but I am finally at a point where I’m feeling more success and that is an amazing feeling. Although I’ve enjoyed the various jobs I’ve held, I do wish I had had more faith in my artistic abilities early on and continued painting while holding a day job. I can’t even imagine how far I would be by now. If I have any advice to offer, it is this. If you love doing something – do it with all your heart, as much as you can, and never stop. Life is too short to put your dreams on hold.
Kristin, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I received my BFA in painting and photography from Hartwick College. My senior year I studied Thangka painting in Kathmandu, Nepal, with Tibetans living in exile. I served as an editor of fine art and photography books at Bulfinch Press, and later at Rockport Publishers with a focus on graphic design titles. From there I went to Lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning) and developed the graphic design library of how-to courses. I now work at TikTok developing training for our employees and clients. My true love however is to be a full time artist and I am working toward that.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is that what you create is 100% your own. Most of us spend our lives executing other people’s visions and often playing a small role in the overall process. When you are a creative you decide what to create and how to create it. You craft the vision and make all the decisions (the countless decisions) along the way, which determines the final outcome. No one can take that from you,
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
For a few years I have followed Nicholas Wilton, an abstract painter in Sausalito, California. His work is incredible and he’s extremely generous with the knowledge he’s gained over the years as an artist. He has a wonderful podcast and does destination workshops, but his 12-week CVP (Creative Visionary Program) is really a profound experience. Last year I decided to invest in the program, which is virtual, and what I took away was invaluable. Not only does he break down all the aspects of making art (color, texture, shape, value etc.) but he shares how to create work that is uniquely your own, weave art into your everyday, and develop a community that supports you in those efforts. This program propelled me into an entirely new body of work and resulted in an exhibition of my work in Jackson Hole, WY this winter. I cannot recommend the program highly enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: Kristinellison.com
- Instagram: @kristinellison
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellisonkristin/
- Other: TikTok: @kristinellison20