We were lucky to catch up with Chris Krupinski recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chris, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I am an artist and have always been. I could not see my life without art. I see other people in careers that are much more financially rewarding and have imagined myself pursuing a different avenue. But, I really can’t. Art is who I am. When I look around me I see everything with creative eyes. It makes the world so much more beautiful. I believe that an artist has something that lies much deeper than just a career. I can truly say that I am thankful every day that I am an artist.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have been an artist all of my life. As a toddler, my mom told me I would write and color on walls. From there, I always had a pencil or brush in my hand. I went to school for art education and then received a degree in graphic design. I have had my own graphic design business for many years. I attribute my time spent in design work to my keen eye on composition. In my earlier years, my medium of choice was oils and pen and ink. Then, when I had young kids I did not want permanent pigments and chemicals around the kids … no oil handprints on the walls!! It was then that I decided to give watercolor a go. I had never painted with watercolors before and it was quite the learning experience! But, I never looked back. I remember opening the refrigerator years ago and seeing an orange with dents from the wire rack in the refrigerator. I painted three oranges on a quilt and that was my first step into the still life world. I love the flexibility that still life gives me. I can set the still life up to capture the composition that I have in my head. I choose the size, shapes, and color of the elements. I have the ability to move things around to create the design I want.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In November 1995, I lost my husband. He died of a sudden heart attack. We had 3 children 12 and under. I had been a stay-at-home mom and my days were spent being involved with my family. I did paint but saved that until the night time when the kids were in bed. But, this shook my whole world. Now, here I was with the kids and no income. I had not been active in graphic design for a while but now knew I had to familiarize myself with computer design programs to remain relevant. I went back to school full time to learn all of this technology. Once I finished I was able to find quite a few clients (with a little help from friends). My days became so busy between my design business and the kids. But, I always managed to put a little time aside for painting. The one constant in my life … painting. I attribute my success with my artwork to carving out painting time consistently. You only get better if you work at it.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

It is mine. To me there is nothing quite so satisfying as taking a plain white sheet of paper and with brush and pigments create a 3-d image on that paper. I have found that painting is my best friend and worst enemy, it is my therapist. It gives me my own world to retreat to. I love the fulfilling satisfaction that comes with a successful painting. I find that when my life becomes stressful art is a place for me to escape. It is mine.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chriskrupinski.com
• Instagram: @chris.krupinski
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chriskrupinskiwatercolors