Kristin Try's artistic journey is inspiring because she shows us that you can start a journey later in life (just like one of my heroes, Julia Child). You can decide to go back and take classes to start a new hobby as an adult. You can fall in love with that new hobby. You can find time and make that hobby into a passion. You can start a creative business. You can find yourself being the positive role model for your daughters that you wanted to be. And you can find the entire process therapeutic and find positivity in all of the steps that put you right where you needed to be, even if that path was likely incredibly hard at times.
Although, that may be what makes Kristin so special. It's really strong people that look back at their struggles and find the lessons. I'm so grateful to have her participate in this interview and share her story. Thank you, Kristin! I can't wait to see what 2016 brings.
Tell us about yourself. How old are your children? Where can we find you?
I have three daughters, ages 3, 5, and 9. After having my second daughter I stayed home and started taking interior design and art classes at a local college- a departure from my political theory and association management background. I fell in love with painting in those classes.
How has your approach to painting, your processes, medium, or your inspiration changed since having children?
I didn't paint before I had children but I can say that after having my third child l dealt with Postpartum Anxiety and painting became such great therapy for me. The anxiety really affected my confidence but somehow painting a lot during this time encouraged my heart and helped me take more risk creatively as well as personally. Painting found me later on in my life and it was the perfect timing for me. I would not have been ready to handle the rejection or critiques well, whereas now it is so much easier to let things roll off and move on.
Is it easy or difficult for you to find/make time to create? Did you have to give anything up? Do you have advice on what works for you?
I find painting in the evenings or when my girls are in school are the best for me. It is a way to recharge and let my mind be challenged in ways I don't get otherwise. I don't feel I've given up anything to paint but I guess I might sleep a little less but time well spent. Occasionally the girls will work in the studio with me on art projects if I am working on smaller projects or I'm on deadline and working at night just won't be enough. They enjoy getting to spend time with me in the studio.
How does being an artist make you a better mother to your children? What do you hope they take away from seeing you as an artist doing something that fulfills you?
I worried a lot about my daughters not seeing me in my professional career like I had when my first was little but with the girls watching me create a new business and find such joy in painting I feel incredibly blessed. They are seeing me build a business that fits into our lives, their lives, and makes me happy. I feel they they will take away excellent life management skills from watching their mama. I know that painting makes me a much better mother. I am happier when I am able to explore my creative side and also put to use my business skills. I love raising three independent girls and always encourage them to seek out what makes them happy and remind them that they are responsible for creating a life they love.
Where do you paint or create? What are your favorite things about your workspace and what would you improve? Do you ever create art with your kids?
I just recently renovated my "very" small sunroom for a home studio. I love that it has become a place we all gravitate towards now! Since I usually paint when the girls are asleep or at school it is so much fun to have them come see what I'm working on. They are so proud and constantly encourage me. They are also becoming really good art critics, especially if I'm not using enough pink paint!
Do you have any tips to streamline / delegate / outsource household and childcare activities so that you can focus more time on your art? Has your lifestyle changed in any major ways?
Unfortunately we don't live close to family and I don't outsource any of household duties-I am starting to work with my girls to have them do more around the house...they can turn our small home upside down in minutes and a picked up house really helps me to feel ready to create. This is really the area I struggle with most..if I have a bathroom to clean or paint.....you'll find me painting. Thankfully we often have guests over and that motivates me to do a good deep clean fairly often.
Do you have any big goals or dreams for your art that you’d like to share? What would be your dream project?
I'm fairly new to this art career business so I'm still finding out about incredible opportunities and dreaming up next steps, but I would love to be able to share my work through an amazing business like
Serena and Lily and eventually after my girls are older have a small design studio for both interior design and my abstract art. I also dream about working with top notch interior designers to create abstract pieces for their projects.
