BY SHALEEN DESTEFANO
Kristen Abbott is a talented, mixed-media artist who wants her work to feel like a deep breath. To act as a reminder to slow down and notice the beauty in quiet and fleeting moments. This is precisely what drew us to her work in the first place. Each piece feels like spring and rebirth. She sat down with us to take a deeper dive into her process.
Many of us have dreamed about becoming full-time artists. How did your journey as an artist begin and what is it like to give it your full-time commitment?
I have loved to paint and create for as long as I can remember. Originally I wanted to be an author and illustrator of children’s books. I am an avid reader and have kept a journal since I was five. But over the years, my love for creating with paint won out as my primary way of expressing emotion. I have always loved to create beauty for my home and usually the first thing I do after moving into a new space is hang art on the walls. In fact, I lived in a lodge in Breckenridge for a summer during college and drove my paintings across the country from Arkansas to hang on the drab hotel walls. Because beauty matters. Feeling at home matters. Creating a space that you want to relax in, matters. And for me, art is what makes the space.
I was fresh out of college with a science degree that I will never use, when I started working at a contemporary art gallery in Tulsa, OK. It was my first experience of getting to peek behind the curtain of a high-end gallery and I learned so many incredible tools during that time that set me on my current path. I learned how to create a cohesive body of work, and how to professionally install, photograph and market it. In the 12 years since, art has been my through line and a lot of times, my lifeline. I have painted and grown my business through seasons of early motherhood, job insecurity, depression, and feelings of doubt that this passion of mine would ever “pan out.” But, despite moments of fear where giving up seemed tempting, the undeniable pull of creation kept me going. I simply cannot imagine a life without painting. For me, being a full-time artist is not just about producing art; it’s about embracing the messy process of creation and cultivating a sense of devotion to the act of bringing forth the beauty I desperately want to see in the world.
You have said that your work is deeply influenced by nature and that you’d like your art to elicit a pause in our busy lives. We’d love to learn more about this as part of your process and mission.
I make art to remind myself that beauty still exists in the world and to battle my own tendency towards cynicism. I do this by getting out in nature and soaking up all the beauty around me. Then, I pour that inspiration into my work in the hopes that it will prompt little glimpses of solace and wonder in the lives of those who come into contact with it.
As a mixed media artist, you work with unconventional tools both with your paintings and cyanotypes. How do you arrive at your next body of work? What inspires your pieces?
I approach my creative process with a rhythm that mirrors the natural cycles of nature. For example, I tap into the abundance of leaves and sunlight in the Colorado summertime to create my leafy cyanotype work. In the winter, when we naturally want to stay cozy, I create more textural abstract paintings that feel layered and built up over time. However, in both my abstract paintings and cyanotype work, experimentation and play remain central. By constantly introducing new variables and materials, I keep my own engagement with the work alive, staying attuned to the evolving narrative within each piece. There’s a delicate balance between intentionality and allowing the art to guide its own course—a dynamic interplay where the artwork often surprises me with unexpected elements! Whether it’s a new color palette in my abstract work or a deeper exploration of the symbolism held in the leaves of my cyanotypes, each new body of work brings fresh revelations. And I think that’s where the magic happens….letting the work continue to evolve and getting to evolve alongside it!
In June you are hosting “The Creative Soul Retreat” in the English countryside. How did you get involved in these retreats and can you share more about it?
Have you ever wanted to make a big change in your life but feel stuck or no matter how many small changes you make the breakthrough never happens? Just like I want my art to create space for others to experience a moment of “pause” in their busy lives, The Creative Soul Retreat will embody this same intention to make room for curiosity, wonder and rest. These retreats are, in my view, the natural next step in my art practice of bringing beauty into the world; this time, however, the medium is curating a transformative experience rather than a blank canvas.
Picture this: a week in a cozy historic cottage, surrounded by lush countryside and just a hop away from the dreamy English coast. We’ll have workshops, excursions, and heart-to-heart chats that’ll leave you feeling all kinds of inspired. Traveling, exploring, and spending time with other creative souls isn’t just a “fun trip;” it’s like supercharging your imagination. It’s breaking free from the everyday grind and soaking up fresh inspiration. And, trust me, when you’re in that zone of abundance and beauty, magic starts flowing effortlessly.
This retreat isn’t just about art workshops or exciting excursions (though we’ll have those, too!), it’s about diving deep into who you are and what lights your fire. It’s about hitting pause on all the noise in your life and reconnecting with your truest self.
If you’re craving a shift in your life, if you’re itching to rediscover your passions, then I’d love for you to join me at The Creative Soul Retreat this June! Right now, we have 4 spots left. Registration closes March 31st. Email kristen@kristenabbott.com for details.
Can you give us a glimpse into your studio? Do you prefer to work in the day? Is there music playing?
On an ideal studio day, I walk into the room with a mug of coffee in hand, light a candle and put on some tunes. Sunlight streams through the windows and I relish the prospect of a few uninterrupted hours ahead, solely dedicated to painting. But the thing is, even on less than ideal days, when I had toddlers on my hip and very little margin, I still made time to create. Because once you’ve got something to say, you’ve got to say it with whatever time you have. Even in less-than-Pinterest-perfect conditions, the art always finds a way.
The most fulfilling moments in my studio happen when I lose myself completely in the act of creation, fully immersed in the messy experience. I’m not a tidy painter—if you see my studio in the middle of a project, it often looks like a tornado just blew through.
What I listen to in the studio depends on what part of the creative process I’m in. If I’m doing mindless tasks like stretching, framing or varnishing, I might call a friend to catch up or listen to an inspiring podcast. But if I’m in a deep flow state with my work and in the middle of a painting, then I am either in silence or I am listening to familiar music in the background to block out all distractions.
What are your thoughts about the Colorado art scene and have you had any opportunities to collaborate with other artists?
I am so grateful to have found wonderful friends within the Colorado artist community! In 2022 I moved into my first art studio outside my home at The New Local in Boulder and was thrilled to find other creative women who were also making art their way of life. This spring I am excited to be collaborating with my dear friend and incredible artist, Dani Loujo to create more spaces for connection within the local artist-mother community. Genuine conversation and connection with other people who really “get” you is such a beautiful gift!
Where can we see your work?
You can see my work in person at The New Local (741 Pearl St, Boulder) which is a non-profit for the arts championing the work of women-identifying artists in Colorado.
Or online at www.kristenabbott.com and Instagram @kristen.abbott.art. You can also visit my galleries at https://www.lizlidgett.com/kristen-abbott and https://abersonexhibits.com/artists/kristen-abbott/.
What’s on the horizon for you in the future?
Right now I am most excited about creating more spaces for genuine connection and community both locally and through The Creative Soul Retreats. I am also embarking on a big project to convert a 1950’s schoolhouse that has fallen into disrepair, into a working studio and thriving creative hub. I want my neighbors and my daughter’s friends to experience accessible art classes as well as live music events and women’s circles. You can follow along with that adventure on instagram @kristen.abbott.art! I can’t wait to open the doors of Schoolhouse Studios!
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Kristen! We look forward to seeing what the future holds for you and your beautiful art.