We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristin Drake and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kristin, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
I try to lead by example. I think as a parent, and as adults in general, we need to show children, not just tell them. If I want her to be healthy, have good relationships, be responsible, care for the planet, etc. I have to show her what that looks like. “Because I said so” doesn’t go as far as leading through example. I think it is our job to parent more deeply and responsibly than that.
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.
I have been focused in the abstract realm for quite some time. My paintings and drawings are automatic, gestural, and carry a lot of movement. I enjoy working in large format and tend to work on many pieces at one time. I also use drawing mediums to make marks in, on, and around the paint that is applied. I majored in drawing in college, so drawing has still been an integral part of my art making process, even as I moved into painting. I think the gestural movement and mixed media quality of the work makes it identifiable and unique to me.
My journey as a maker has been longstanding, starting as an adolescent sketching the Sunday comics. I was introduced to formal art classes in high school and then went on to art school from there, graduating with a BA in Fine Art. It honestly felt like the only pathway meant for me at the time. I found interior design in my early 20’s and have continued on a split pathway between art and design since then.
I don’t think anything in life is “easy” but the art and design road felt natural to me and I am proud of the place that I am today. I have had let downs and set backs but I keep my mind focused on my journey and try not to compare myself to anyone else. I think that is very difficult to do in today’s technology era. We’re always watching what everyone else is doing. I try to turn that off as much as I can so I can stay focused on my own journey.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I was giving someone a grand tour of Denver and surrounding areas, I suppose I would start in the mountains. I love the drive from Estes Park through Rocky Mountain National Park into Grand Lake. I enjoy walking down Main Street in Grand Lake and I always stop for ice cream. Telluride and Ouray also carry a special place in my heart. The vistas are just breathtaking. In Denver, some of my favorite stops are the Pearl Street Farmer’s Market, Gaylord Street, Wash Park, the Highline Canal, Clifford Still Museum, Kirkland Museum and the Denver Art Museum, Temaki Den, Adelitas, Matsuhisa, antiquing down Broadway…. I could go on and on. There are so many beautiful places to visit and delicious places to eat!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are many to thank. Of course family and friends for their continued support. I am grateful for the many teachers I have had along the way as well. Some were inspiring, and others pushed me to a limit that didn’t feel good at the time, but lit a fire underneath me. Sometimes our greatest hurdles bring about the most progress and change in ourselves.
Website: https://www.kdrakeart.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kdrakeart/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-drake-1b6ba460/