Hello
My name is Artist Krista.
Welcome to my studio! My art is my outlet and personal therapy. This outlet gives me a way to reflect and develop new perspectives to process all that life sends my way. I love that I have a safe place to go to create and hope you will find my studio as a welcoming safe space to create as well.
I studied Visual Arts at Brock University, graduating in 2011 and I have been creating and teaching art ever since! I have dabbled in many forms of art however mixed media art is my favourite.
Besides art making and teaching, I also have a passion for baking and decorating gluten free cakes and cookies for my family. I am also a passionate advocate for mental health and inclusivity for all.
I share my life's journey with my husband, our three beautiful young children, two dogs and two cats.
My Story
Hello, Artist Krista here!
After studying Visual Arts at Brock University, I moved up to Fort McMurray, AB in 2011. I started teaching private art classes for a home school group, as well as one on one and teaching a ladies painting class. When I started having my children I took a few years off to focus on them. Now that my youngest will be starting school, it was time to start up my art studio again.
I was hired as the visiting artist for the Reggio Program at one school here in town three years ago. I am now working for two local schools as the visiting artist as of this year. This has given me experience working with bigger groups of children at all learning levels. I love how excited the students get when they make an art piece they love. Working in the Reggio program I have learned how to teach and make process art. I present the students with an idea or concept, the materials, and with some guidance and they make the art their own. Every students art piece is as unique as they are.
I find it so rewarding when I am able to work with children with special needs especially. It is amazing to allow them to have a new avenue for self expression and it can be so calming. My favourite days are when I can get on the same level as the students and watch their minds grow and open up. For example, when nonverbal children use words to make their art or when they get so excited by the process, it takes my breath away.
"Be who you needed as a child" - Ayesha Siddiqi
This has been my mantra since I graduated from University. When I was a child and adolescent, the "art room" was where you could usually find me. Without going into too much personal detail, art is what saved me on the bad days and the good days! The "art room" is where I felt most comfortable and accepted by my peers and the teachers. I spent most lunches in high school working on an art project or drawing in my sketch book in the art class rooms. I want to be that safe outlet for others. To have to safe place to be accepted no matter what challenges are faced in everyday life. Through art I have been able to work through many challenges that life has brought and it has helped me to express emotions when words fail me. I needed an "art room" and a safe place to just come and create, this is what I want to be for others who need space to be as well.
