We recently connected with Krista Weltner and have shared our conversation below.

Krista, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Becoming a published picture author and illustrator with my picture book series, Everyday Adventures With Molly and Dyslexia, is the most meaningful project I have completed. I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was 7 years old. My childhood was defined by early struggles in areas others seemed to thrive in without effort. It means a lot to me that I have been able to use my experience to benefit children going through similar things. Many dyslexic children experience feelings of isolation and anxiety and struggle to maintain healthy self-esteem. There are plenty of resources to support these children in their academic development. But my series supports the emotional needs of these children as they learn to navigate their differences.

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

I am an author, illustrator, creative entrepreneur, speaker, and puppet maker. Recently, I have been getting into tabletop game design; I am also an advocate for neurodivergent children, especially those with dyslexia, and much of my creative work is connected to it. My short film, Partially Compensated, was inspired by my experience growing up with dyslexia. My film has been seen in film festivals worldwide and has afforded me numerous opportunities to engage and advocate with others for a more inclusive world. My picture book series, Everyday Adventures With Molly and Dyslexia, is also part of my ongoing advocacy work.

Outside these pursuits, I have worked in the themed entertainment industry, building animatronics, puppets, and costume characters. I have also worked as a puppet maker in the stop-motion animated film industry. My work can be seen in the Netflix animation Wendell and Wild and Laika Studios’ upcoming Wildwood.

It’s hard to say how I got into this work. I have always been pursuing art in some form. As a child, I was involved in theater and music and gravitated toward the arts in all forms. As a young adult, I obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Design and Technology from the University of Evansville. I studied Puppetry Arts at the University of Connecticut and received a Master of Fine Arts in 2016.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

As a newly published children’s book author, I would say there was a lot of preparation and learning I had to do before I was ready for publication. If you are pursuing this work, being well-educated in the industry and the craft is important. The SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) was a fantastic resource for me. I have started to offer one-on-one consultations for other authors getting started. Because I have learned a lot over the course of about 7 years, and I want to give back to those just begining the journey.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Working in a creative discipline is hard work. If someone is successfully working in a creative/artistic capacity, a lot has gone into that. Sometimes, I feel like non-creatives think it’s easy or fun. And it often is fun! Most of us know we are lucky to do what we love. But it’s also a job. We have deadlines, work-related stress, and financial struggles, just like everyone else.

Something that keeps me interested in film and creative industries aside from the work is the people. I feel at home amongst them. Many of us were the weird kids in school or the ones who could not have succeeded in a more traditional path. Typically creative people are incredibly intelligent and passionate.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kristaweltner.com
• Instagram: kristaweltner
• Facebook: NA
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-weltner?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kristaweltner.com%2F
• Twitter: kwelts1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdh2mIUOIAE2Ym4LtjqrcKw
• Other: You can watch my short film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Dk1KAy16Fs

  My books can be ordered through your local bookstore, Amazon, or Bookshop.

  https://amzn.to/3VehqM6