We were lucky to catch up with Kristina Lynae recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kristina, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

All of my projects have special meaning to me, but perhaps the most significant one for me so far was my first analog collage, Ellis Island. The piece was made from the shreds of a series of messages I received from the person who had sexually assaulted me throughout the week I stayed with them on vacation. We were halfway across the country, and they were the only person I knew in the state. A year after it happened, I decided to try and channel some of my anger and shame into something I could be truly proud of. I had dabbled in digital collage at that point but had never done anything with actual paper and glue. The tactile nature of analog collage made the project especially cathartic. With my bare hands, I ripped apart the apologies, the excuses, the reassurances of negative STD tests from the weeks following my return home. I had spent the last year blaming myself for what happened, but in making Ellis Island, I was able to give myself some compassion and see the situation in a new light. Upon sharing this piece on social media, I received an outpouring of support from friends, many of whom had been in similar situations. Knowing that so many of my loved ones have felt the same shame and violation I felt made me realize that I’m not alone. I have a voice and I want to use it, especially if it helps others feel less alone as well.

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

I am a collage artist and filmmaker with a bachelor’s degree in Film and Media Arts from the University of Utah. I made two comedy shorts after graduating and started playing around with collage in winter 2023 at the encouragement of my friend and fellow artist Betsey Welland. My first collage works had a very specific purpose–I started an ongoing series about my upbringing in the Mormon church and the ways it affected my self-image and my relationships as I left the church in early adulthood. Around April 2024 I started to broaden my focus and create for the fun of creating, rather than to communicate something specific. I had always been hesitant to label myself a visual person–even my films were very dialogue-based–but experimenting with color, texture, and the human form sparked something in me that I’d never realized was there: a completeness, a sense of finality. For the first time in my life, I trusted my instincts about my art, and it felt good. I could look at a piece and feel in my bones that it was finished. Doing visual art sparked a dormant sense of creativity in me, which has extended to other mediums. I rediscovered my passion for film and am in the process of making an experimental horror short with minimal dialogue to bring some of my static visuals to life and flesh them out with sound and sequence. I’ve never done a horror piece before, so it’s a significant step outside of my comfort zone with comedy.
I have great respect for artists who dedicate their lives to mastering a medium. I am too easily distracted to stay focused on one thing. Though I will absolutely continue to do film and collage, the joy of learning those mediums has made me hungry for more challenges, and I want potential clients to play a part in that. I got my first ever commission last year for a 24×36 piece, which was so much larger than anything I had made before that point. It took me dozens upon dozens of hours to complete, and the feeling I got when it was finished is indescribable. Something that felt so intimidating became a source of immense pride and excitement. Whatever I make in the future and whoever I work with, that feeling will always be the goal.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The act of creation is incredibly rewarding. Starting with a blank page or an empty SD card and ending with a totally unique, personal piece of art is unlike anything else. And to meet others who find the same joy in creation is just as rewarding. Creation is an endless source of knowledge, and being part of a community of creators introduces you to perspectives you never considered. You’re never finished exploring.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Beyond expanding my own knowledge and gaining new artistic experiences, my goal as an artist is to connect with others on an emotional level. All my life, I’ve loved the power that art has over a person. Leaving the movie theater with my family as a kid felt like walking out of another world, reentering reality with the glow of make-believe radiating off of me. I wanted to be able to make other people feel that way. More recently, I’ve found strength in the ability to share personal experiences that some may relate to but not feel comfortable expressing themselves. For instance, pieces I’ve made about my experience with sexual assault have prompted many messages of support and solidarity from peers who’d been through something similar or knew someone who had. Making art can feel trivial or even pointless sometimes, but knowing that my work has the potential to make a difference in someone’s life will always make it worthwhile.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/kristinalynae
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kristinalynae
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tina_lynae