Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystan Ivey.
Hi Krystan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’m an artist born of southern summer nights, inspired by carefully crafted magic. I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember and made the decision to fully devote myself to my practice, finishing my degree (late, but better than never). I’m balancing life, work, art, school, and everything else on my way to my own carefully crafted life of creation and love for the talent that’s helped me survive this world.
When I was somewhere between the ages of 6 and 10, I had a particularly memorable summer, or maybe these remaining memories come from a mashed-up slew of summers, merged together with time.
At that point in my life, I spent a lot of time at my grandparents’ house, and even after moving 600 miles away, my family stayed in touch. The nights were warm and dark as we drove down their never-ending driveway, my mom, brother and I eager to get out and stretch after 10 hours on the road. I don’t remember much of the drives; it’s a route I’ve taken many times, each new experience replacing the last.
My brother and I would stay, but after a day or two, my mom would turn around and head home, leaving us behind for a summer in the woods. The days were full of bare feet on dirt paths to the river, endless animals, both domesticated and otherwise, and magic.
It was in the beautiful orb-weaving spider who rebuilt his home in the doorway every night as my brother and I watched from inside. It was in the evening sound of crickets and tree frogs as we swam in the blow-up pool, frogs occasionally raining down from the trees right onto our heads. I found magic just staring into the river when branches, beavers, and snakes meandered by.
I looked for it in books, and sometimes I read until dawn. If I wasn’t awake at 4 am with a book in my hand, I was with my grandmother scrolling through low-quality websites, admiring high-quality art. We scrolled through mermaids, dragons, and faeries painted in magical realms, things I’d never seen. The art we consumed was made so carefully, and looking back; I was beginning to understand that magic existed AND that it could be made.
Eventually I stopped going to my grandparents’ house, my brother and I suddenly too old for 3 months of 20 questions across the darkened hall as we awaited sleep. That period of my life was so brief, and yet, 20 years later, I’m still looking for and making that very same magic.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Most of the struggles I’ve faced in relation to my art have been internal ones. Sure, there was lack of access to art education, supplies, and support as a result of all-too-common poverty, but my largest battles have existed within myself. Mental health issues affect every aspect of life in ways that are sometimes invisible and also all-encompassing. Things like that can make it hard to recognize the magic that exists in the world and dampen the desire to search for it. As an adult, I’m very grateful that I’ve leaned on therapy and healing to create enough space in my life where creation can thrive.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I dabble in many different types of making, but I’ll always be a painter. I’m drawn to easily accessible materials, especially those that are forgiving. In my practice, I really value the opportunity to make and fix mistakes and like to pay homage to the materials that were available to me growing up. I mainly use acrylics, graphite, and color pencil but am always exploring new ways to bring my magic to life.
My paintings are typically focused on figures; they’re typically women (self-insert, self-portraiture) existing in a realm outside of our own. I love finding new subject matter to help me capture and bear witness to my healing through bright and exciting imagery. You’ll find nature and animals in my work, an obvious tie to those things that sparked my artistry.
I’m extremely proud of my paintings, being an artist is my favorite thing about myself. I get technically better every single day, and my imagination and ideas are barely containable at this point in my life. I have so much I want to make, and I can’t wait to see what I do with this gift!
What do you think about happiness?
So many things make me happy! I want to say my cats first and foremost, but that feels like cheating. Isn’t everyone their happiest when they’re hanging out with cats? I love being around my friends, those people who reflect myself back to me and challenge me to be present and alive. My husband is so supportive and wonderful, so I think I’ve done a good job of curating happiness around me through the incredible people in my life.
Lastly, but maybe most impactful, nature. It’s so broad but so true; I love the earth we live on and each of the ways it presents us with incredible, magical things. A bloomed flower, a cold creek, a chunky squirrel…all things that bring me endless joy even in my darkest hours.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://krissyswork.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krissyswork/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystan-ivey/
