Meet Kristen Glenn | Entomology Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristen Glenn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristen, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I believe the most important factor behind my success is the fact that I am transparent with a lot of my personal life. I don’t hide behind things that need to be discussed more openly in the world. I share a lot about my mental health, traumatic brain injury, and my experience of surviving a DV relationship. As well as other things that others can relate to and be able to have an open conversation that is usually not spoken about or talked about enough in this world. I think that makes me more real and less secretive which makes me more relatable to the people I sell my art to. It also gives them an understandment of me more and gives me the opportunity to discuss things that are important that society refuses to talk about when these are very real problems that people face with everyday. Through my eyes my art isn’t just art, it’s a way of bringing awareness and sharing connections with others and sometimes beginning friendships. After all, it takes a community to build a village.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started my art Journey in 2020 when I went to an oddities and curiosities event and saw others making this unique art with insects and bones and immediately fell in love. I was so enamored by some of the intricate work that went into these entomology displays. The minute that I came home from that event I started doing my research on how I can learn to do what they do, but to make it mine to separate myself from there style of art. I learned from videos and articles on how to pin insects and from there I was golden. I started making these displays but began to make too many and needed an outlet to sell and one of the most popular antique stores in town had an open booth that fell into my hands to be able to sell my art for the first time. I did very well there during the time that I was there and my social media following began to grow and my name around the art community began to cycle through. In about two years into my journey my true art style kicked in of a more whimsical and ethereal based art instead of natural type of art that you mostly see in this industry. That’s when I truly began to take off in my art. The industry is flooded in Colorado of entomology art and it’s hard to distinguish one from another artisits, but my art has progressed to the point that someone can look at my art and know that I made it, especially with my signature golden moon hidden in my art pieces. I think that is what makes me me and how I’ve progressed to the point that I am where I am right now. Individuality is the keyand looking through art from a different lens opens that door for you.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Manitou Springs is the size of my thumb compared to the surrounding City of Colorado Springs so I’ll be adding some of those locations as well. Besides Manitou being a venture in itself, One of my favorite restaurants that is there would be Persephone Grae’s Cafe and Juice Bar. It’s my little hidden gems in Manitou. It very rarely gets busy and is perfect for a more laid back experience during the weekdays. Another lovely food location very close to Manitou Springs would be the Burrowing Owl. It’s a fully vegan restaurant, but is absolutely delicious and the vibes in there are immaculate. If you are interested in getting an evening drink my top places would be Archives, District 11, and Shame and Regret. Those are all in Downtown Colorado Springs which is about 10 minuets away from Manitou. They are all very clean and nice laid back places for those who want a more relaxed environment while having a drink. Places that are worth checking out while here in Manitou would be The Cauldron and Land Of Oz. The Cauldron has tons of unqiue items for unique people and Land of Oz is the spot for alternative clothing and vintage items. Novis Mortem, Cronk Art and Curiosities, and Poor Richards in Downtown Colorado Springs. Are my favorite stores. Novis Mortem and Cronk Art and Curiosities both sell entomology art as well, but are both distinguished artisits in this industry. Both stores are very unique to their own and are worth stopping by. Poor Richards is the OG spot in downtown Colorado Springs. They are a unique shop that sells books, toys, and is also a food and Cafe Spot. For the original Colorado experience the best hiking spot would be Red Rock Canyon and Garden of the Gods. The other classic Colorado Springs experience would be going to Cave of the Winds. If you’re lucky, you might see bats while you are there!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The person that deserves recognition would be my grandmother. Ever since she took on the job of raising me and shaping me to be the woman I am today, she has always supported me in any venture that I went into. She is the one who encouraged me to proceed in my art career and to open up a shop because she believed in me. My grandmother funded a lot and loaned me money to open my shop in Manitou Springs. I don’t think I would have gotten this far in life without her, and I am so thankful and blessed that I have her. I’m so so proud of myself for making her proud since that’s all I ever wanted to do for her.

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