Good Morning Curators,
This week, we're thrilled to introduce you to another incredible artist who has thrived on facing her fears and turning them into beauty. Krislyn Koehn, originally from Houston and now a charcoal artist and art professor in Alabama, has an intriguing journey that took her from a definitively anxious upbringing to chasing thunderstorms across the globe.
For Krislyn, a pivotal chapter in her life was suddenly moving to Australia during her senior year of high school. “The day after graduation, I hopped on a plane for the 30 hour flight to the other side of the world,” she recalls. This profound experience reshaped her perspective, pushing her to face her fears head-on. "I learned that fear wasn’t something to be avoided," she shares. This was a mindset that she lived out over the next 10 years, through adventures that took her across a span of 12 countries. From swimming with sharks to climbing mountains, and coming face to face with wild bears.
Reflecting on her growth, Krislyn mentions, “Most of my work finds beauty in the things that scare me. I was terrified of thunderstorms as a child. Now I chase them down because I want to draw them.” Krislyn's artistic range is vast; from storms to nostalgic scenes from her grandmother's farm. On one occasion, she was even inspired to portray a group of birds bound by satin ribbons. When an idea strikes her, it resonates deeply, compelling her to bring it to life with charcoal.
Krislyn’s artistic journey has taken many forms: she’s dabbled in ceramics, bronze casting, and even earned a degree in animation from Texas A&M. While she’s tried it all, she now spends most of her time creating works with charcoal. “I love charcoal because of the way you can smear it around. It acts almost like a cross between drawing and painting,” she describes.
At the core of her art, Krislyn aims for genuine connection. She believes in the power of personal stories, noting that, “if you make something intensely meaningful to you, it will be intensely meaningful to someone else.” Her 'Homebound' series stands as a testament that there is someone out there who can resonate with each piece of her artwork. After sharing the introspective series, Krislyn received mixed reactions. Her mother's first impression? "They're cool but a bit... morbid. Will anyone buy them?" Yet, right after posting them online, a woman who deeply resonated with the pieces reached out, identifying them as a symbol of her journey from an abusive marriage. She immediately bought 3, reinforcing the idea that art can have a myriad of interpretations and the power to connect us in unexpected ways. That sort of connection is why Krislyn continues to create.
To support Krislyn and the work of amazing independent artists from around the globe, visit our community store, where you can hear their stories, browse their collections, and bring a unique piece of artwork home.