We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristen Avolio. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristen below.

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

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve undertaken is building my business, HeartWork by Kristen Avolio. Art has always been a central part of my life, a passion ignited in high school. While not my college major, I immersed myself in studio art courses, eventually minoring in the subject. Even after life detours, my love for art remained steadfast.

Over the past decade, I’ve channeled my artistic passion into home renovations, completing over ten projects. Each renovation was a canvas for my creativity, from conceptualizing layouts to selecting colors and finishes. These projects hold special significance because they blend my artistic and design inclinations.

In 2021, amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the personal loss of a miscarriage, I rediscovered art as a source of solace and healing. This reflective period reignited my creative spirit. Art transformed from a hobby into a vital form of therapy, bringing immense joy.
Ultimately, my journey through HeartWork is my most significant project. Every piece I create is infused with emotion, a genuine reflection of my soul.

Kristen, 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’m a dedicated mother and wife, but my heart has always belonged to the world of design and creativity. Art has been an intrinsic part of my life journey, from my earliest memories painting seashells at our summer house to crafting friendship bracelets to pass time while working at the beach.

High school, for me, was a blend of two passions: art and swimming. Attending an all-girls high school wasn’t always easy, but it did grant me a unique opportunity to choose my path. Faced with the choice of majoring in Art/Music or Science/Math, I unhesitatingly chose Art. This decision allowed me to focus my energy and cultivate my artistic skills even further.

During my time at Queens College, I reignited my passion for art by enrolling in all the elective classes available, which eventually led to earning a minor in Studio Art. However, as life continued to unfold, art often took a back seat, becoming a sporadic yet cherished part of my life.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle, I discovered another avenue for my creative spirit – home renovations. Over the past decade, I’ve completed over 10 home renovation projects, each one an opportunity to express my artistic vision through design. This newfound passion provided an outlet for my creativity and allowed me to transform spaces into works of art in their own right.

Despite life’s diversions, the call of the canvas remained with me, albeit on a part-time basis, with the brush making its appearance only a few times a year. It wasn’t until the end of 2020, when the world started to come back from a global pandemic, that I truly rekindled my relationship with art. As I found myself with more time on my hands, my art began to flourish once again. I watched my pieces grow, evolve, and come to life in ways I had forgotten were possible. With my new found “slow down” mode and “back to basics” mentality gave me the chance to delve back into my artistic endeavors.

My artistic journey is a versatile one. I now stand ready to share my creations with the world. My art is not just a hobby; it’s my therapy, my release, my source of joy. Whether it’s designing the interiors of homes, crafting paintings, or even exploring the artistic potential in food, I find happiness and fulfillment in every aspect of artistry. Art is not just a part of my life; it’s an integral piece of my soul. It’s my hearts work-Heartwork.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience is a word that comes up a lot in conversations about my journey, especially lately. As I’ve shared before, I took a step back from art when I became a first-time mom. Being fully present for my daughter during those first sixteen months was incredibly fulfilling but also all-consuming.

Life took a pretty rough turn when we started trying for a second child, right in the middle of the pandemic. Being homebound with a toddler presented its own challenges, but it also sparked a renewed interest in creativity. I found myself drawn back to art, asking myself why I wasn’t doing more of it. So, I made a commitment to at least an hour of ‘self-care’ every day, which quickly turned into painting again.

Everything changed in January 2021 when I experienced my first miscarriage. Art became my therapy. It was a grief unlike anything I’d known, and I didn’t handle it well initially. The unstructured pandemic life made it easy to avoid the pain, but I eventually found solace in watercolor. I loved the control it offered, but also the freedom to let go. My ‘Rainbow Butterfly’ watercolor captures that balance perfectly.

I also experimented with acrylics, starting with a piece called ‘Heart,’ which is where my artist name came from. Each piece reflected how I was feeling at the time. Rebuilding my life after three miscarriages is the ultimate definition of resilience for me. I wouldn’t have been able to cope without art as an outlet.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is definitely that sense of accomplishment when a piece is finished. Let’s be honest, are projects ever really finished? I find myself going back to add, tweak, or even take away things. It’s always a work in progress! But bringing an idea from my head into the physical world is incredibly satisfying.

Art is also a fantastic outlet for my mental health. I once heard, ‘If you can’t find something to busy your hands with, they’ll get you in trouble,’ and that really resonates. Working with clay, for example, and shaping something three-dimensional feels like storytelling.

I love sharing my art journey. People often ask why I didn’t pursue art as a career earlier, since I was always told it wasn’t a stable path. But I was so passionate about it that it didn’t matter. Now, I’m grateful I didn’t give up my skills. Connecting with people at art fairs and seeing their reactions is amazing.

And then there’s my almost-seven-year-old daughter! Watching her pick up art because of me is incredible. She says she wants to be an artist like Mommy when she grows up. What more could I ask for?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.KristenAvolio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avoliokristen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KristenMAvolio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-avolio-a9163a18
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/KristenAvolioHeartwork/
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