About

My Inspiration

Color and pattern touch every part of my life, from the rich, saturated jewel tones that I dress in, to the intricate vintage kilim rugs in my home. The color palette of my art draws from my obsession with interiors, textiles and clothing from the 60s and 70s, and I often turn to my vintage floral dress collection for inspiration. The colors that I surround myself with and my personal style have effortlessly worked their way into my paintings, prints, hand-picked vintage frames, and the entire visual language of Finding Flowers Studio. It’s not a coincidence that I often match the art! 

My process

I spent nearly two decades designing jewelry and housewares, becoming fluent in mixing shapes, textures, materials, and colors, and exploring how objects take up space in peoples’ everyday lives. But I felt pulled in a different creative direction; one that didn’t take itself quite as seriously. I picked up a paintbrush and fell in love with capturing flowers in my own unique style. Now I create from my home studio space, overlooking a quiet pocket of nature in the middle of the city so I can paint whenever inspiration strikes.

Flowers became my subject of choice almost immediately because they offer everything I love most: vivid color, a seemingly endless variety of shapes, and natural movement. But it's the impermanence of flowers that I find the most striking and why interpreting their beauty is so satisfying. Flowers are here briefly, brilliantly, and then they're gone. 

I begin every painting collection by creating a mood board and looking at photos of real flowers, which I’ve often taken at the Chicago Botanic Gardens and on my neighborhood walks. I select my colors, and focus on how they contrast and compliment each other, rather than matching the actual colors of the flowers. I apply loose brushstrokes on paper and build up layers of paint until the flowers I envision emerge. 

I frequently paint with acrylic gouache because I appreciate their brilliance, the way they build and their velvety matte finish. I also enjoy watercolors, especially for their slightly unpredictable nature, which can lead to lovely surprises and unique details. I often paint on heavy weight cotton cold-press watercolor paper, which has a subtle texture that compliments my painting style and mediums.

My philosophy

My work exists at the intersection of bold and livable. The colors are confident; high contrast, playful, a little unexpected, but they pair beautifully with neutrals and hold their own in real rooms, real homes, and real lives. A single painting easily introduces a small pop of color into any space, while multiples create a striking display.

I want to create art that feels within reach, affordable enough for someone just beginning their collection or to give as a gift. That’s why I often create small original works in standard sizes, offer different framing options, and have my work reproduced as fine art prints. I think we all deserve to have a piece of art that makes us happy. I hope each time you see my art, it brightens your day and brings you the same joy I felt when I was creating it. 

Where to find my art

My art has been featured in Jackson Junge Gallery’s Ten by Ten group show, the April Showers group show at First Sip Cafe, the Folklore group show at Ravenswood Reproductions, at Little Broken Things, at Bottles Up!, and in the Wicker Park Fine Art Fair.  A selection of my paintings are currently available at Into the Feral.

Work with me

If you're a shop owner interested in carrying original art or prints from Finding Flowers Studio, wholesale inquiries are welcome. Trade discounts are available to interior designers and home stagers. Please reach out to krista@findingflowersstudio.com for more information.