Art & Life with Krystal W. Brown
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Art & Life with Krystal W. Brown
Today we'd like to introduce you to Krystal W. Brown. Krystal, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I discovered my compulsion to create at a young age. I am the youngest daughter of loving parents who encouraged my artistic pursuits. The “baby” who came four years after my youngest brother, who came four years after the four boys who proceeded him. Yes! Five older brothers. My sister was the first born and already out and on her own by the time I was five. I was a curious, creative, and loving little girl who was always trying to fit in. I longed for affection and to belong. Desperate to be what my brothers were and to do what my brothers did. I was never quite able to accomplish that. I thought, falsely, that I had to be like them to be liked by them. I found myself alone a lot. Alone in a house full of people. I was often reminded that I was “too sensitive” a “crybaby”, and I was when you compared me to them. In frustration and tears, I would disappear. Disappear for hours on end. In my self-induced confinement, I found that my art became my solace. My companion. My joy where the hours would pass peacefully. I would draw or color, sculpt with play dough, make collages, needlepoint or cross-stitch, and be perfectly content. I would reappear never having been missed, and somehow, I was fine with that. Then, one evening my mother took me with her to her painting class. I'm sure, in hindsight, that this must have been one of the few opportunities for her to learn and create while enjoying adult interaction. What I perceived at first to be an inconvenience for both of us soon became awe-inspiring for me. I was taken in! It was awesome to see so many happy people together. Everyone was creating and doing the same thing but in their own way. I was captivated and asked if I could do that too? My first art lesson was from my mother's teacher at the local fire station with three other kids. I love 4H and having been able to grow up in a tiny town in Northern Wyoming! With my mom's sketch pad and charcoals, I began my journey. My teacher showed this little gaggle of 4th graders the proportions of a face and how to create a portrait from that. The little class dwindled away to explore other 4H venues, but my love of portraiture continued to grow. The lessons stuck and influenced me greatly. My first painting was in acrylic two years later. I liked it, but it couldn't replace my love of drawing. I had filled sketchbooks with made up portraits. All people but also all creations of my imagination. Then, one day, while looking at Teen Beet, I thought I'd draw Sylvester Stallone. He was followed by Tom Selleck. Angels sang in my pre-adolescent girl's heart as I captured the likenesses of these men. I discovered that I could draw actual people! I painted for the first time in oil shortly thereafter. My junior high school art teacher showed me just enough, and then let me go. I painted a big-eyed, sad little clown. My mother loved it! She paid me money to have it and put a beautiful frame on my first attempt at oil painting. Our home had original fine art from some incredible artists. I was flabbergasted. I was deeply honored, and I had found a way to fit into my family! To contribute something of value! To have done something that mattered. Oh, what joy was unleashed! My parents had the living room redecorated around the colors in my painting. That first painting of mine hung in my parents' home until their passing. I was honored, and to this day I am grateful for their love, encouragement and the beginning of my unique journey.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My Art is a physical manifestation of my desire to enrich and uplift. My very own beautification project, if you will. Born out of a love for creating and losing myself in the process. It is my joy. It is a way for me to contribute.
There is a little piece of me in everything I do. Each of my creations is generated from a physical response to a visual scene,person, memory, or an idea. Often, a personal longing or challenge that needs to be filled.
My vision is to bring more beauty and more hope through my fine art. To offer light and joy that repels darkness. To sing a song of peace and love and share how I do it with anyone who chooses to join my journey.
My mission is to offer fine art oil paintings created with joy and love to beautify the world you live in. To share my process through workshops, demos, classes, and online instruction so others can beautify their world and unleash more joy!
Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
This is a wonderful time for artists. There are so many opportunities for those of us who create. The internet has made education available for those who haven't been able to get the training they want, and it's provided ways for artists to show their work. Local art leagues like the Woodlands Art League, which I'm a part of, offer community and groups where you can work from life. If you are in an area without a local life group start one. Support your local artists. Buy original art and offer opportunities for artists to show their work. If you want to create art, seek instruction. Artists love to share their process and helping others create the art that they want to create is such a wonderful thing. Ateliers are springing up all over the world offering classical training and education. We are in the midst of a New Renaissances! It is an incredible time to be an artist!
I've come to know that when we create from our soul it honors a need in each of us creating. The art that comes from that place is needed! It is needed by the artist. Just as art helped me in my youth and isolation its creation helps me still today. But there is another need that is fulfilled when the circle is complete. The artists view and perspective are captured, in my case in two dimensions, and communicated to the viewer. My response and love of what I'm experiencing and reacting to, whether a person, still life, or scene, is filtered by my unique perspective. There is a need met in the process of observation that imbued the piece with life and then the circle is complete when that painting is taken in and viewed. Sometimes this circle takes years to complete and sometimes just hours. I would encourage everyone who creates to honor this. Show your work! Someone is waiting for it. I have story after story that confirms this.
What's the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My work can be seen at Marta Stafford Fine art in Marble Falls, Texas. http://www.martastaffordfineart.com/ At Gallery Des Artistes in New Hope, Pennsylvania, in online shows, on my website and on social media.
I'm an exhibiting member of the Oil Painters of America, and the National Oil and Acrylic Painters of America. I'm a member of The Portrait Society of America, American Women Artists, and Outdoor Painters Society. I do work on commission and enjoy capturing the moments that matter most to you. https://krystalbrownfineart.com/
I participate in Plein Air events. These outdoor painting events are juried, and the works completed throughout each one are available for sale. There is something for everyone at these fabulous shows. It is one of my favorite ways to meet new collectors and share my work. Plein Air Competitions take place all over the country, and I have enjoyed traveling and painting all over the nation.
I love to share my knowledge and joy in the creative process. I do demo's, workshops and facilitate life groups. I teach privately as well. I offer Scholarships for Women and High School Students at each Workshop. Art heals the creator and the viewer. I want everyone to experience this.
Contact Info:
Address: 20103 Quicktime Ct
Spring, TX 77379
Website: https://krystalbrownfineart.com/
Phone: 281-224-5759
