We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristen Law Lewis and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kristen, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I think most people experience a shift in responsibilities as they get older. Or: as time goes by, more responsibilities are often added. Not true for all, but I experienced a significant shift in how I balance life and work once I had a family and child, vs when I had less things to juggle!
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My professional art path has meandered over the years, but I would say (perhaps because it has meandered) it seems to have flowed and not really been hard or arduous. There were definitely times where devoting time and energy to art was on the back burner, and currently it is in the forefront but I think that is part of feeing successful at what you do – being able to chase what’s working or feels right, and leaving what doesn’t serve, behind. I think what pleases me most these days is feeling confident – practicing art and claiming it, making it a viable way to make money. So much of that is an amalgamation of professional experience and the only way to gain that is to just. do. it. Over the years I’ve learned to pay attention to the successes and focus energies in those directions. Currently, I aim to balance: working on things that are proving successful, continually assessing what is working and what isn’t, and also leaving some room for pure artistic experimentation which isn’t attached in any way to immediate success.
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?
My local haunts are creative supply places and galleries like Art Parts Creative Reuse Center, and Two Hands Paperie – both in Boulder, and Local Goods in Lafayette. I also love hiking and usually like experiencing the beauty of the mountains with friends from out of town. If there’s kids involved we’d probably hit up Junkyard Social Club in Boulder or the treehouse at the Denver Children’s Museum. With infinite amount of awesome restaurants around here, we’d probably go to brunch at Watercourse Foods and also hit up Acreage Stem Ciders in Lafayette where I live.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many people and places flood my mind with this question! I love that.
A core part of my artistic success and artist business sense comes from being involved with the Boulder Arts & Crafts Gallery for so may years. This artist coop was one of the longest-running in the country until it closed in 2021. I worked there for 14 years and learned so much from so many great artists there, making a life of art for themselves and their families.
Key to my work/life balance and also key to my business existence is my husband Pete who’s there on the homefront with me and is a bigger risk taker than I am, so most of the ‘courage’ in ‘encouragement’ comes from him.
A huge source of inspiration comes from interacting with people who take my bookbinding classes. It’s such a human experience to create together, and facilitate learning something new and innovating together. The community of participants, instructors, and staff at Two Hands Paperie in Boulder deserve a shoutout.
Website: papercutspress.com
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Image Credits
Kristen Law Lewis