how I became an ARTIST

hello friends, this is the kinda complicated story of my artistic journey, from being a creative kid, to an art school drop out, a ski bum, a cancer patient, and now a full time artist and illustrator. I hope you can get some more insight into who I am as a person from this video but more importantly I hope it inspires you on whatever journey you are on. Follow along to see where we go from here. Love u,
Kris

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[Martybumm]

Okay justice for all of us who went into graphic design because we thought it was the only responsible art career 😭

[lulabelle]

Oh boy!!! You are such a strong person coming through all of that. I had no idea of your history with cancer. Art is such a powerful transformative creative outlet. Your work is beautiful and uplifting. Thank you for sharing your drastic history of your young life to date. Much love and appreciation of you. And wonderful that you had your partner to lie by you when you were knocked down and couldn't stand!!!❤

[crystaltanart]

After listening to what you've been through, I now understand why there is a depth and maturity to your videos. To the way you convey yourself and your emotions. You may be 29, but you are matured beyond your years. I love your videos. They feel very real, authentic, and gentle at the same time. Much love to you, Crystal.

[laura_makes_things]

i don't usually comment on youtube videos (anxious introvert here lol) but as a disabled artist myself, i deeply resonated with creating art to survive. I just wanted to thank you for your vulnerability and sharing your experience with all of us. you seem like such a bright soul and its always so lovely to see your work and watch your videos! keep creating and being you🖤

[Onlinepino]

Omgosh! This video blew me away…from the skiing and rock climbing and you battling cancer. Amazing. I’m so glad you are here living life and doing what you love.

[cindyd.]

That college graphic design process sounds truly horrifying. I’m so sorry you lost friends during cancer and Covid. People can be so terrible! You have survived a lot, and you’ve also made so many great strides with your art business. Thank you for sharing your story, you did a great job with this video. 😊

[natalievuong]

As someone who is going through her journey of being a freelance creative, this video felt like such a warm hug. Thank you for sharing your strength, insight, and creativity

[inthelandofray]

I relate to the sobbing over math so much 😂
You’re a wonderful artist and thank you for sharing your story with us! ❤

[mrd]

This is such an authentic and beautiful/scary account of a real art journey. I am in awe of you, your courage, and your transparency. Just keep making art, whatever happens, and fill up your cup with things and people that make you happy. I wish you all the health and happiness in the world. <3

[ImaniTolliver]

Beloved, thank you so much for sharing your journey. There is so much of your story that resonates with me - math, being an artist as a child, called to social justice - so much more. I am a poet, mainly. And even though I was an arts administrator and have always made things - jewelry, collage, dolls - it was the pandemic that plunged me into being a full time artist and poet. Your story is so moving and your clarity is inspiring - holding space for you to thrive and create all that you wish!!!

[friesfairy]

when you said that you were told to study graphic design I laughed because I’m also a person that always wanted to be an artist and now I have a bachelor in graphic design😂 thank you for sharing your story🤍

[debbiedrawsfunny]

Here I am listening to you talk about your high school and college experiences of people shutting down your art dreams and encouraging you to go the graphic design route…UGH. I just talked how this happened to me in a video- so this was a real deja vu moment. I graduated high school probably right before you were born and heard the same trash. I really wish it would’ve been different for someone born in the 90s! It’s why I encourage my own kids to go for whatever they’re dreaming of doing. I never want them to put it off because someone tries to convince them that their dream isn’t “a real job”. Eff that noise, man! It was so frustrating and I didn’t revisit the idea of being an artist until I was in my thirties. I was also very inspired by children’s books when I was a preschool teacher in my mid twenties and it got the creative wheels turning but I didn’t really go for it til about 10 years later. Until I dedicated myself to my art practice again I constantly felt like I was dying a slow death. I wasn’t fully being who I was meant to be.

All of that being said, you’re a freaking badass and your partner and your family sound like an amazing group of humans full of love and support❤I can only imagine how tough had to be to talk about and revisit some of the more difficult memories and to talk about them out loud. To a camera, no less. So thank you for sharing your story with us❤

[naoencheseuchato]

I'm so grateful that people like you do exist. Your art speaks to me somehow.

[moshkizzle]

Thank you for sharing your story, it moved me to tears.

And fuck cancer.

[kaalthoff]

Thank you for your vulnerability in sharing all of this. We have a lot in common: my name is also Kristen, I'm a graphic designer and artist, and I had breast cancer at age 33 and then skin cancer right before I turned 40. I just wanted to give you a hug watching this — knowing what it's like to be so young and already have gone through so much heavy stuff that a lot of people don't understand. It can be very isolating both physically and mentally. I relate with the loss of friendships. My view on life (and death) has forever and fundamentally changed because of this experience — and although I never want to hear the word "cancer" again, it has helped me grow as a person in some of the most profound ways I can think of. I've been very inspired over the last year by people like you sharing your art. It's given me a lot of courage to get back into my art practice more seriously. So thank you for all of the work you put into these videos and the graciousness you've shown in sharing your art and your life. I wish you health and happiness! ❤

[lesley]

Hearing your illness journey and how you were spending time just mixing colours really made me feel seen, I developed M.E/CFS in 2019 and struggle to paint finished pieces faster than I used to. It's comforting to see an artist like yourself talking about the realities of illness and recalibrating your art practice, its therapeutic to just mix paint in a sketchbook and know that it's keeping the passion alive

[birdietoon]

I'm really sorry for all you had to endure and I'm so glad you're alive and able to make your art. You're a huge inspiration to me.

[pamelawamala]

My goodness. Thank you for staying here / being here. That is a lot to go through. Thank you for sharing your art and life experience so generously. I appreciate you.

[julianajubyyasmine]

Incredible. You’re a force of nature for sure. I recently read Suleika Jaouad book between two kingdoms - not sure if you have read it but she had a similar life experience to you. Keep sharing. Glad YouTube suggested you! ❤

[thatcreativebeauty]

Wow, 😮your story has touched me. Thank you so much for sharing this. I think it will help so many people that may be going through the same exact thing. It’s not easy what you’ve been through with her and absolute rockstar.
I too am a disabled artist and I didn’t start making or into my late 30s. I have a eye condition that makes it where my eyes will slowly paralyze and it’s been rough immediate where I stop doing social media but this is giving me the courage to jump back in and possibly share my story. Thank you, I just gained a new subscriber 💖