Meet Kristina Davies | visual artist and educator

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

Hi Kristina, what matters most to you?
Being both an educator and an artist, I have several values that guide me: building an inclusive community, freedom of expression, and accessibility. For me, I am most alive in my art practice when I share my art with others, whether it be with students, practicing artists, or those who have had limited artistic experiences. I have found that creative freedom has been stifled in many people. There is a fear of judgment, of not being good enough, of disliking the end product. I’m all about the process. Creating a safe place for people to come together and tap into the beauty of self expression without fear of judgment is a powerful thing.

Recently I had a solo show entitled H-U-M-A-N, which included a body of work that I completed over the past few years and was greatly influenced by what I was experiencing at the time. As the mother of a transgender adult child, and as a volunteer at The Gathering Place, a day shelter for women, children and trans folks experiencing homelessness, I witnessed the “othering” of those who are often the most marginalized out groups, where negative stereotypes and a lack of compassion dominate. The work for H-U-M-A-N was my way of creating art and an environment that asked viewers to see one another as human first, to ensure that all people, regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, ability, skin color or socioeconomic status, are brought into a circle of belongingness by humanizing the other. One of my favorite quotes is from author bell hooks, “Beloved community is formed not by the eradication of difference but by its affirmation, by each of us claiming the identities and cultural legacies that shape who we are and how we live in the world.”

For me, accessibility, freedom of expression and creating community through the arts are my guiding principles. The work I do comes from a place of love, from a sense of beauty and awe in our shared humanity. I believe art has the power to transform, heal, and bring community together.

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 am a contemporary visual artist who creates large, abstract paintings on canvas or wood. I believe the act of painting is a form of self-discovery, of tapping into a meditative flow. The interaction with materials, music, gesture, and mark making, all come together in an intuitive dance. Being a process-based painter, I often work without an attachment to a plan or goal, which allows me to experiment and take risks. At times, my work is non-objective, where my visual vocabulary is pure abstraction. Often, my paintings become figurative, and a narrative unfolds, or a concept comes through in a powerful, unexpected way.

As an emerging artist, I am most proud of exhibiting my work in galleries here in Denver during the past few years, and selling my work to collectors. For so long, I visualized it and imagined it, but I wasn’t quite sure how to get there. One thing I did know was that I had to dive in, let go of fear, and start learning and creating.

I always created art in the summers in my basement or kitchen, but that was in isolation. I didn’t know it at the time, but one of the most powerful aspects of art making is getting out of isolation and being part of a community of artists and creatives. I hadn’t taken art classes since college, so starting in 2015, while I was teaching full time, I began taking night classes at ASLD to learn as much as possible about figure drawing, abstract expressionism and painting. I also took week-long courses at Anderson Ranch in Snowmass in the summers. I visited local galleries, museums, and studios, and I began connecting with other artists. I also read many books, including a few favorites like “Big Magic,” by Elizabeth Gilbert and “Art and Fear,” by Bayles and Orland. I found a studio space through a friend I had met at ASLD, and the day I retired from teaching I opened up my studio. That was actually the biggest game changer. Having a space to create large works, to connect with other artists, and to call my own, that is when my art practice truly gained momentum.

My studio is located in Denver’s Art District off Santa Fe at Bitfactory Studios. I love having people come and visit, and I enjoy sharing my art practice with others and painting together. I have a solo exhibit coming up in October at Sassabird Fine Art Gallery, so I am gearing up for that. I will also be a resident artist at Château Orquevaux in France in August of this year, and I’m excited to see what new work comes from such an amazing opportunity.

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.
Being born in Denver, I’ve seen a lot of growth and change, and there is so much to do! Since my art studio is located in the Denver Arts District off Santa Fe, and I live in the burbs in Centennial, visitors would be exposed to both “zones.”

Close to home are two of my favorite restaurants, these are casual, fun, and they serve delicious food, Big Bill’s New York Pizza and Los Dos Potrillos. Another place close to home is the historic area of Old Littleton, where there are many restaurants, shops and boutiques. I also enjoy taking visitors for a walk or bike ride on the Highline Canal.

Of course, there would be a day(s) of art. The DAM, Clyfford Still, MCA and Kirkland would all be on the list. We would also have to visit the galleries off Santa Fe, then visit my studio of course (haha). We’d definitely head to Strawberry Mountain for vintage clothing and ReCreative. After that, we’d walk to ESP, which is a Hifi listening bar off Santa Fe that serves the most unique, delicious cocktails and plays incredible music.

Another day might entail visiting the Art Park in RiNo, then grabbing lunch at the Source Hotel where there are multiple restaurants to choose from, but the best is the top patio of the Woods restaurant for a fantastic view. We would definitely have to stop by another favorite store, Be A Good Person.

Another favorite spot to eat is Daughter Thai Kitchen and Bar off Platte. If the visitor likes to go dancing, we would have to go to Charlie’s. Hopefully we have planned ahead and we could go to a concert at the Ogden, Bluebird or Fillmore.

South Broadway has so much to offer. I love the antique stores and vintage shops. especially The Annex Antiques and Interiors, Sewn and Regal Vintage. Another few favorites are Rosehouse Botanicals and Capital Tea.

We just might have to take in a Rockies game and then head to the Dairy Block. After all this eating and drinking, we’d need to travel to Boulder and hike up to Royal Arch or Bear Peak. Then, enjoy an evening off Pearl Street.

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?
Nothing would be possible without my art mentor, Jeff Wenzel. Jeff is a prolific Denver abstract expressionist artist. I started taking classes with him at ASLD in 2015. He is the one that gave me permission to do what was in my heart and soul but what I was afraid to do. Seeing him demo, show his process, and release his students from fear was what opened up my art practice in a whole new way.

Website: https://kristinadaviesart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinadaviesart

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristina.davies.501

Other: https://solo.to/kristinadaviesart

Image Credits
Cam Margera Photography