Kristine Vander Velde: Meet the Artist
As a lifetime resident of West Michigan my inspiration is derived from the seasonal changes, trees and the human-made objects incorporated within the natural environment. Impressionism and Dutch Baroque art are my main influences with a dash of reality and surreality. I previously attended Grand Valley State University in the mid 1990’s and left to be able to stay at home and care for my daughter with Rett syndrome. When I returned to art, my home studio became my anchor as I chose to become a single mother and then my lifeline after my daughter died in 2013. In 2018, I returned to GVSU and achieved my BFA in Painting in 2020. The growing art community in Grand Rapids has provided exciting opportunities to show my work and participate in public projects!
Q: How did you get involved with Lions and Rabbits?
A: LRCFA was highly recommended by several artist friends in Grand Rapids. I was first accepted as an artist vendor for the After Dark market in 2021. I was impressed with the energy and commitment to supporting artists while creating a fun space to gather.
Q: Run us through your creative process: Medium? How do you start, flow and finish?
A: I mainly work in oil paint as well as acrylic for mural projects. I have gathered an extensive library of photo references which become small studies of color, light and angles. From these, I create larger, imaginary landscapes that are eerie and beautiful dreamscapes
Q: What themes/ideas are highlighted in your work? Intentions?
A: My work evolves from the interaction of human structures in nature, the rhythms they create and the shifting light through the seasons. I think about the cycle of construction and destruction created by human progress, how nature finds a way to take back through decay and regrowth. Life is fleeting and tenuous, I recreate what I see in order to make sense of the experience. I paint to inspire a sense of curiosity in the physical world and a desire to exist in the moment and live through experience.
Artprize Mural 2022
Q: Can you share more about how your career as an artist began?
A: I've always had a strong compulsion to draw or paint. The high school I attended had a fantastic art teacher who encouraged me to pursue a career as an artist.
Q: What obstacles/struggles have you encountered throughout your career as an artist? Or challenges you face within your creative process
A: As a young adult, my pursuit of an art career was cut short by motherhood. Because my daughter lived with multiple physical and medical issues, I gave up art altogether for a decade. Years later, I still feel like I am running to catch up in the art world while juggling the typical adult responsibilities of a job to pay the bills. Currently, I work from a small home studio on the weekends. Time and space limit the the size and scope of my artwork, yet I strive to keep up a consistent studio practice.
Q: Who/what are your biggest inspirations that play a key role in your work?
A: Art is a primal instinct. As long as we have been human, we have sought to recreate our existence through painting, drawing, music and story telling. Through these mediums, we feel as if we can bring meaning into our existence.
Q: What mistakes have you made? What did you learn from them?
A: I have an extensive list of mistakes! Mainly, a general lack of self confidence always led me to compare myself to other artists and I never felt I was good enough. I was afraid to make bad art which led to resistance and a lack of motivation. Changing my mindset that art is a developed skill and not just raw talent gave me the mindset I needed to learn from many failed paintings. Now, when I step behind my easel, I have the drive to create and not worry about the result.
Q: Do you feel supported by your community as an artist? In what ways could you feel more supported?
A: The growing support for the arts is extremely exciting here in Grand Rapids! There are opportunities for so many different types of art and artists. In the past few years, I've had several new painting experiences that have helped build my portfolio and skill set. I so enjoy the space to share stories with other artists living in West Michigan. I think it would be great if we could build a network of local artists to be able to share news, resources and community issues.
Q: What is the function of artists in society? What does being an artist mean to you?
A: Artists are the storytellers of history. We capture the emotion and turbulence that affects our daily lives. We seek to bring that story to the rest of the world to help navigate all aspects of human existence, whether it’s beautiful or horrifying
Artprize Mural 2022
Q: Describe a moment when you felt most proud of yourself
A: My daughter died while I was planning a large portrait of her for ArtPrize. Completing it was a cathartic experience through grief. I knew I could move on with life and I was going to be ok.
Q: What are you currently working on or looking forward to?
A: I would like to build a full time studio practice that involves my visions, commission work as well as growing involvement with the local art community. I have a desire to expand my experience through art exhibitions, public art projects and collaboration with other artists.
Q: Finish this sentence…”Artists are _____________”
A: ..fanciful liars that tell the truth of human nature.
Q: BONUS: If you could chose any superpower, what would it be?🦸🏻♀️⚡️🌀
The ability to fly like a dragon with leathery wings!
Follow more of Kristine’s work on vanderveldeart.com
Instagram: @samestaleshoes
Thank you for tuning into this week’s Meet the Artist, be sure to checkout more artist stories every week on our blog!
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