how I became an ARTIST 

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!!!❤

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

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🖤

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.

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 RU-vid suggested you! ❤

I recently stumbled upon your page because I’m trying to get more into sketchbooks and I just wanted to say what an incredible journey you have been on! My sister had leukemia when I was younger and I was her bone marrow donor-so much of this resonates with her/my experience!! I love how your style is influenced so much by nature and color and I wish I could join your sketchbook club but I don’t live anywhere near Utah lol. Wishing you all the best :)

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

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

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. 😊

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.

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 💖

and you keep smiling, such a beautiful soul you are. truly inspiring. 🍀💚 thank you for sharing.

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

Honest, heartfelt and articulately said. Such an inspiring story of strength and resilience. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for sharing your journey. Stay strong, stay healthy, and keep making your wonderful art!! Well done you!!! Hero! 😊

Hey, I’m a preschool substitute too. There are so many elements of your story I connect to , and I appreciate you sharing your story so so much.

Thank you so much for sharing your story... I've come to enjoy your channel immensely and I am inspired by your strength.

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

Hey dude. I don’t comment on stuff. This video is so powerful to me. I am also a dirt bag seasonal worker. Instructing in the winter and guiding in the summer all with a chronic physical illness. Bodies are so wild. Sometimes I just want to stop and continue my art dream as well. Because pushing my body to its physical limits all so I can enjoy outside and make some kind of living is kind of getting old. It’s also really the only thing I know how to do. I am also currently in Montana and feel you hard on the medical availability that is here. I’m so happy you exist I’d love to be your friend. Thank you for sharing I feel less alone. Also I love your art style/styles.. whatever you’re doing it is so rad.

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.

You are very strong and courageous person❤️‍🔥 thank you for sharing your story ❤️❤️ your art is beautiful and cute🥰✨

Thank you for making this video and sharing your story; hearing everything you went through really affected me. I’m going through my own healing journey atm and have been dealing with chronic illness that’s left me couch bound for the past 2 years. Art has really helped me get through the rough times so hearing that you are doing so well now and are actually doing something you love too is very inspiring. So thank you; I hope you continue to stay happy and healthy **sending virtual hug**☺️💚

You have an amazing story, thank you for sharing. I am so glad I discovered you and your work! It's been a lovely source of inspiration as I've been clawing myself out of my own very long art rut. (ps - for what it's worth, my best friend has a degree in illustration and ended up becoming a graphic designer. Go figure lol.)

Thank you for sharing your journey. You’re so brave, courageous and inspiring

Thank you for sharing your life. I wish for you to stay in remission permanently and to live a long and fulfilling life with your partner x❤x

that was a beautiful, heart-wrenching, and inspiring story surrounding your artist journey. thanks for sharing huevocita 🥚

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. You are truly amazing! Hugs from Portugal :)

Your story was touching and you are hella strong getting through all of that, I can't understand the pain you experienced, however I just wanted to say that your story brought tears to my eyes as my father died from leukaemia, his white blood sells were already too many compared to the red and it was already too late 😢 I am so glad you made it through and my prayers are with you x

I discovered your channel this week and been watiching your videos from the beginning. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. You made me emotional with this one 😢❤ i love your art and the vibe of your videos.

Your story is so similar to my own. I got aplastic anaemia which meant a bone marrow transplant too. Then months in an isolated room suck (a specially being 18 at the time for me) im a fine art and graphic design student now at university 1 year later. I watch your videos to get through my assignments

donated! thank you for sharing your journey with us ❤️

I recently discovered your channel and slowly binging through all your videos (amazing!). Today was a day to listen to your story, thank you so much for sharing your journey in arts and life. Cancer is such a taboo theme, I am very grateful that you added up to its visibility. Your art and your vibe is so wholesome and wondeful. I wish you long years of creativity and living a life. Becoming a subscriber and gonna wait for new videos while catching up with oldies

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!!!

Inspiring story, thank you for sharing. Stay well

I don't think I can put into words the feelings I have right now after watching this video; it's so special and amazing. I can resonate with a lot of the things you said and I somehow feel better now, thank youuu! Sending you looots of love and support! 💖🌷

I didn't know there were other kids who sobbed at the kitchen table over their math homework 😭 I got officially diagnosed with ADHD at age 30 and I am so upset that so many people let me slide by without helping me. Your story of art school is so similar to my experience, I finished my degree simply because I was too scared to ask anybody how to go about dropping out

Thank you for this video! I really needed to hear that.

You are a warrior. God bless you ❤ Also, your work is beautiful

I remember I was on maternity leave with Alice when I heard about you getting sick. I didn't have social media then, but I'm so glad I do now and have had a chance to reconnect with you! You are so strong and I'm so proud of you! Even though we have different lives and experiences, I can really relate to how you described your school experiences and isolation. I appreciate you and your willingness to be vulnerable! ❤

Hi Kristen, I enjoy your art and your videos very much and have just now watched this video where you relate your journey of how you became a full-time artist. I feel overwhelmed listening to what you have had to cope with in your life, but am also very impressed with how you have dealt with all the blows. I am also grateful that you have been blessed with parents and a partner that support you. It is inspiring to watch you living your best creative life every day. May inspiration and creativity be your constant companions on the rest of your journey through life.

Thank you for sharing this incredible journey with us. For being so honest and vulnerable. Your story is very inspiring. I’m a new follower! The editing is great! I loved this video!

Thank you so much for sharing your life story. ❤

You are incredible

it is SO fascinating to hear the story that brought you here. thank you so much for sharing!!! it's so cool to watch your art and career blossom!!!!!

Your story is inspiring ❤❤❤❤

Dang, you're a warrior!

Ugh, I love a good, vibrant under painting. Fantastic job on the painting! 😩👌💖 Hi Kristen, thank you for sharing your story. It has truly resonated with me. I am in my mid-twenties, feeling like a total disaster, making my way back to my artistic dreams despite having been discouraged by adult figures my whole life. What you said is true, life is short and fragile. The world being on fire in recent years has made me realize that. I'm so happy for you, and I'm grateful for this wonderful video!

Wow, what a journey! I just found your channel, love your work! I resonated with your college story, I’m much older than you & got a studio art degree, but ended up working in graphic design/illustration and web design for years. There needs to be better career counseling for students in high school, there are so many options for creatives, but the paths need to be shown. Best wishes to you!

I got a concussion back in Sept 2020 and still haven't recovered enough to have a normal life or get back to work in any capacity (society's only barometer for health). So I really relate to your acknowledgement of being disabled (although I still struggle with thinking I'm "worthy" of the title because (A) my disability is invisible, (B) the medical and insurance industries keep trying to prove how I'm NOT disabled and it's all in my head so I can go back to being a cog in the capitalist industrial complex, and (C) internalized ableism. Hearing you talk about losing a lot of friends while you were sick/immunocompromised was also superduper relateable because I went through many painful friendship breakups when I was sick, and so lost almost all of my friends. I realized there was an incredible amount of ableism amongst my family and friends, and eventually I ran out of energy trying to educate them about ableism / defend myself and my behaviours / try to help them when I was depressed and on the verge of suicidal ideation. The fact that you had the additional nuance and frustration of being immunocompromised during a worldwide panini amongst a group of misinformed, selfish friends that could really jeopardize your health/life simultaneously makes me want to cry and scream "FUUUUUUCK!!!" from a rooftop. Being young (I was 29 years old when I hit my head, I think you mentioned being in your mid-twenties at your first diagnosis?) and suddenly losing your independence from one day to the next fecking BLOWS. It's quasi-impossible for people to understand what it feels like to have your body "betray" you on such an existential level, especially when you're supposed to be at your energetic peak in life or wtvr. SO, all that to say: I see you, I hear you, and you're a ducking badass for pulling yourself out of quicksand time and time and time again. Giving up can seem sooo enticing. But you managed you still find meaning in life (art!) and now you're sharing your talents and gifts and efforts with the world and making it a better place for so many people in so many different ways. So thank you (: You're an awe-some beast! An awe-some eggie beast (:

Hello from Pennsylvania. I’m pretty sure the algorithm recommended your channel to me because I’m a longtime Blick customer who has recently watched some Utah videos 😅 Love your work.

Hei Kris, I landed on your channel because of your hobonichi setup, but then I somehow felt connected to you as if we were long time friends! One video became two, and three and then I came here. Impressed with your story and strength! I hope 2024 brings you health and a lot of inspiration for new amazing art! you keep up, girl! If one day you're around Amsterdam, let's make some art together! :)

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m sorry you have endured so much, but I’m glad your hardships steered you to become an artist as that’s obviously been one of your dreams for so long. So much of your story resonates with my own journey to becoming an artist- or should I say, accepting that I am an artist whether I want to be or not 🤪 So glad I found your channel! ❤

I had the same experience of being told to pursue a graphic design major instead of what I wanted, which was studio art!! 😮‍💨

Hi Kristen! Just wanted to say, you're amazing! I've just watched all your RU-vid video's over the weekend and I must say that they're so comforting to watch despite all the difficulties you experienced these pas years. I'm also a (small) artist/illustrator from The Netherlands and I just loved seeing you grow in every video you made so far. Keep up the good stuff and continue to be an awesome human being who I think will inspire many creatives along the way. Like I said, you're awesome!

Kris!

Made me cry but even more because I know you’ve been able to get your own studio space and expand ur shop and live more of ur dream by now Saving up to buy ur beautiful crane print!

GIRL, YOU ARE AWESOME! No Explanation needed. TFS 💛🎨

Yep, crying over math. And I convinced myself to pursue architecture because art wasnt a real career. Lol. Here I am after multiple architecture burnouts at 41, finally pursuing art. Omg this is such a wonderfully presented life story-- woah. You've come up against the wildest challenges. I found you on IG and I absolutely love seeing these RU-vids. Also how you edited the sound with painting real time - chef's kiss. Looking fwd to following along. 🎉

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❤

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

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🤍

I’d like to see an artist that doesn’t cry over math 😂 jokes aside, thank you for sharing your story and I’m looking forward to seeing how your residency goes! ❤

Thank you so much for sharing your story! Couldn’t imagine how hard it must’ve been for you in the last few years, but so glad you can finally support yourself with your art! 😊 Can’t wait to see what you get up to x

Wow, well done!

this is so interesting and inspiring ! I love your art, and I love your vlogs, I learned a lot watching this video, so thank you for sharing ! sending you lots and lots of love from France

yoooo, you're so strong in so many different ways ! It's so amazing. (really love the evolution of your art too, that heron (? is it the same in english ?) soo pretty wish you a wonderful rest of life ! :)

Wow you are so strong! Thank you for sharing your art and cancer journey. You are so inspiring! And hearing your story makes me want to get serious and work harder to make my art dreams my life. Do you have any advice for a freelance/full time artist just starting out?

Wow you’re a really strong person. Your story is so inspiring and humbling I don’t think I’d be as strong as you were in these situations God bless you!

Thank you so much for sharing, so strong! Discovered your content today and love it ❤

wow wow wow. your story is so so beautiful and your commitment to life and art is inspiring!!

Thank you so much for sharing this very personal and inspiring part of your life with us. Your story is inspiring to me, as someone who is considering trying to sell art one day. I find I let myself get caught up in the fact that parenting life leaves me with little time to dedicate to it. Seeing what you have done in such a short amount of time, with the cards you were dealt is so eye opening and inspirational. Thank you again, for your work and for sharing this story.

💪inspiring

Gosh, that must have been so difficult. Im so glad i found your art. Excited to see what comes next for you and your art

You are so incredibly resilient, you have lived through hell multiple times and came out stronger. What a huge journey you've been through. Taylor seems like an absolutely wonderful partner, I wish you both the very best together. I'm really happy that I found your channel last night I've been watching some videos and followed you on instagram. I love your art, it's so charming and makes me smile. Sometimes we go through the toughest things and it makes us find our calling. I too am on disability so I'm trying to make the most of life to try and become a full time artist. Also, I was also told as a teen to go in to graphics design because art wasnt a proper job haha. I HATED graphic design. Thank you for sharing your story 💚

Thank you for sharing this!! I’m also chronically ill and I’m trying to figure out how to have an art career

Oh wow, this is such a strong and moving story. Thank you for sharing! ❤️

i loved this video sm, it was so special hearing your story up to now in such an honest way. i came to professional art making late too (around 27/28) and it was as a result of being more isolated and bed/housebound as a result of disability. my dream now is to have a bed easel like frida kahlo. my friend recently said to me that many disabled people go towards art making as a way to process, articulate and understand their disability, and that felt like such an astute observation to me. your journey rly speaks to the possibilities of art in terms of processing, self expression and actualisation. i know that a lot of the time it's felt like a lifeline for me, and i can definitely see that resonance here. utah seems like a rly magic and inspiring place to be creating too! just wonderful to see throughout this video, how you continue to expand in your creativity and living

Thank you for sharing your story, Kris! It's been inspiring hearing about your journey. ✨

I started following during your bike trip and am so happy to have found your channel ❤

Crying the ugliest cry so glad ur here n things r turning up for you 😭😭😭😭😭❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Such a moving video Kristen, it was so inspiring to watch and to learn more about you and your art journey! And I loved learning about the meaning behind Little Tiny Egg! 🧡🧡

You are amazing! Thank you for sharing!

Wow. I’m so glad you’re here. Love your art.

💪💪💪💪

absolute badass. loved the video and seeing your whole story! so glad you’re here 🫶

You are amazing thank you for sharing your story

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! ❤

As a person who experienced the same condition at 3 & had a relapse at 14 & I’m now 19 in art college I feel you , your not alone I love your art sm & it genuinely inspired mine 💕☺️

❤❤❤🙏

Thank you so much for sharing this.

Man, you've had a time. I'm happy to say that I've been a member of Be the Match for a couple years now ❤

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.

Wow! I loved this video. Recently I had a poetry project about people who inspire me, and I wrote mine about you. My teacher liked the pictures of your art I included haha. my art journey has been really supported by you!

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

You're so strong and I'm crying with gratitude for you sharing your story. It's so easy to be entitled and forget how privileged we are, and you had every reason to complain and you choose not to. Much respect, I'm a follower now ❤ love your art too

Thank you for sharing your story ❤

Don’t know what to say but just ❤❤

I’ve been watching your videos for a while but just found this one today. Thank you so much for sharing your story and being vulnerable. Your art is so beautifully and specifically you- the world is lucky to have you

Thank you for being open with your story. Art has been a huge part of my healing process as well. Pottery, so that even when I lose my eyesight and hearing again, I can still create through touch. The internalized abelism is real! and the mental torture that comes with disease/chronic illness and sudden loss of independence is devastating. But your openness helped me feel less disconnected. One day at a time we go. Thank you

I looked into being a bone marrow donor (I donated platelets for years and found out recently I have what's called baby blood so they want whole blood more now) after watching the movie Palm Springs a few years ago but never actually signed up. When you mentioned needing bone marrow, I immediately looked it up and signed up. I probably should have years ago but I felt like it was something I had considered in the past and feeling depressed recently and realizing that I've already donated other parts of me, that even if I was upset over my issues, it had nothing on people like you that have chronic illnesses that have no idea what tomorrow might bring. I might not be able to do a lot to help others, but donating the healthy parts of my body is one thing that I can do. I love your videos, and I'm so glad that you get to do what you love for a living. I've said it a few times across your platforms, but you are an inspiration, and I love watching your videos ❤