BIO
Born in Connecticut, I aspired to be an artist from a young age exploring every medium from painting to photography. I attended Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, where my passion for photography developed into a career. After graduating in 1999 with a Bachelor's degree in Media Communications and Fine Art, I moved to New York City where I was quickly immersed in art, fashion, and the business of photography. I launched my photography business in 2004 and began documenting the glittering moments of elite Manhattan society. My work was published in a number of fashion magazines worldwide including Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, InStyle, and Vanity Fair.
In 2013, after a tragic personal loss, I began to spend time in galleries and museums to cope with my uncomfortable feelings. I discovered that the art I connected to most was created by artists who grappled with loss and suffering like Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, and Egon Schiele (my fav). I figured that if they could put their pain on canvas, then I could too. I picked up a paintbrush and the rest is history.
My paintings began as emotionally charged abstracts but soon developed into celebrations of life and creation. I'm driven by my passion for perceiving, delighting in, and interpreting nature in unique ways through watercolor. I live with my little boy in Flower Mound, Texas on a beautiful horse farm where the inspiration is endless from sunrise to sunset. I have recently begun teaching private art classes to local women as well as illustrating children’s books. This summer I will complete my third book.
I'm a follower of Jesus and I'm thankful that He brought art into my life at a time when I needed it most. Just as He did for David in the Psalms, He turned my mourning into dancing. I owe absolutely everything to Him.
KRISTEN ELAINE
STATEMENT
​
Towards the end of my nearly twenty-year photography career, in NYC, I began working with fresh flowers in my studio as a way to unlock some of the hidden and suppressed longings I felt as an artist. I had more to say than just giving my clients what they asked for. I gave myself the space and freedom to play. One day, I birthed Flowers With Legs. I photograph the flowers with my professional cameras and paint their bodies with digital watercolors.
I hope you like them. I hope they make you laugh. I hope they bring you comfort and joy as they have done for me for many years. I love that God’s artwork, flowers, are the most beautiful element of my work. My little IMPERFECT creations pair nicely with His perfect ones.
​