We were lucky to catch up with Kristen Olinger Dalpiaz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kristen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

As an artist, I do feel a deep sense of fulfillment and happiness that comes from being creative. There’s something incredibly satisfying about bringing an idea to life on canvas and then sharing that with others. I feel a child-like sense of joy when I’m able to play and explore with mediums and colors.

As someone who has worked in the business and/or regular job setting for many years, I do have a unique perspective on both worlds. My time in the corporate environment taught me a great deal about discipline and structure. I appreciated the stability, the predictable income, and the benefits that came with a regular job. I always knew that I wanted a career in the arts, but as a mother with bills to pay, I had to remain at a regular job in order to support my household. Even though at times I felt trapped and bored with the mundane office jobs, it was these moments that really allowed me to thrive in my creative process. I was able to seek relaxation and therapy within my artwork after the 8-5 job was done for the day. My transition has into a full time artist has been a slow one, however, it has been extremely rewarding.

Despite the challenges and unpredictability, I now have the freedom to create, to be my own boss, and to connect with others through my art. I always come back to the fact that being an artist makes me happier and more fulfilled. The challenges are worth it for the sense of accomplishment and the ability to live a life true to my passions.

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 am a contemporary artist based in northeast Tennessee and much of my inspiration is drawn from the beautiful Appalachian mountain region that surrounds me. I enjoy working in multiple styles and mediums including watercolors, acrylics, gouache, and digital art. Despite this variety, there is a common thread that ties all of my artwork together, and that is the use of color. Vibrant and expressive colors are the hallmark of my landscape and floral pieces. My artistic journey has been guided by a simple mission which is to bring energy and joy to the viewer.

Having studied graphic design and traditional art throughout school, I quickly decided that traditional art, specifically painting is where my passion lies. For years, this passion was subdued to merely a hobby as I worked in the business administrative field in order to pay the bills. In 2015, I began to hone in on my craft with many late-night painting sessions while my daughter slept, or weekend marathons of creativity with her along side me. I began selling paintings locally and online for extra money and decided to pursue an art career in my spare time. In the years that followed, I have gained the confidence and expertise to be able to show my work in local galleries, and participate in art festivals and events.

Fast forward to 2023-2024, I am now a resident studio artist in downtown Johnson City, TN. I am able to provide original pieces and prints for my clients. I enjoy collaborating with clients to create artwork that infuses their lives with tranquility, positivity, and joy.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

This is a great question. Honestly, I just don’t understand them at all. I thought an NFT was a digital trading card, and I couldn’t figure out why someone would want to pay for them. My only experience with them, is getting emails or DM’s asking me to ‘sell my artwork as an NFT”. I always assume these are scams and delete them. I just haven’t taken the time to learn more about that world I guess. I think maybe it’s a trend that is dying down, but I could be wrong.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think sometimes the non-creatives in our lives struggle to understand that this journey is a rollercoaster. There are so many ups and downs. For example, the disappointment we experience when we get rejected from a show or gallery, to the highs that we feel when we sell a big painting or get accepted to a gallery. It’s unpredictable, but from my experience, totally worth it.

Being creative is not just a job, it’s who we are. I would be lost if I were not able to create. It’s easy to look at an artist from the outside and think that we are just painting all day and it’s magical and fun. While I do have those moments, there’s so much more that goes on. I have to struggle through creative blocks and exhaustion just like in any other field. I only have so many hours in the day where I can be creative and productive. More often than not, we are the boss, the employee, the secretary, the social media expert, and so on. We wear all of the hats so that we can live our passion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kolingerart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kolingerart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kolingerart