Blogs from Around the World - Kristin Dudish

Welcome to February's Blogs from Around the World. Please let me introduce the very talented Kristin Dudish, who's art never ceases to amaze me. Her trademark colourful paintings and drawings are absolutely adorable and I hope you enjoy this insight into her life.

Before you get down to reading the interview, Kristin has teamed up with EVA to create a Paint Party Friday which starts on the 18th March. It will be a place for

artists to meet, check in, share what they have been working on and chat. Sounds great fun so please be sure to check it out and join in the fun! The blog is http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com or you can click here.

Where do you call home and what do you love most about where you live?

I live in Western New York just outside Buffalo. We are probably best known for our snow and chicken wings, but one of the things I love about where I live is the diversity. There is a little something for everyone... Buffalo has a wonderful arts and entertainment community - The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, The Theater District, World Renowned Art Galleries (The Jackson Pollock painting that one of my Sketchbook Project pages was based on hangs in the Albright-Knox minutes away from my home). We also have professional sports, fabulous restaurants, wonderful shopping, and beautiful parks and recreation spots throughout four distinct seasons. One of the Natural Wonders of the World (Niagara Falls) is around the corner and a visit to Toronto, Canada is just a short car ride away!

You have a BFA from the University of Buffalo....have you always been creative and what does it mean to you?

For me, being creative is not just about drawing or painting (although I obviously love to do those things). I believe that being creative is a way of living. And the greatest thing? Anyone can live a creative life! My degree helped me develop my physical skills for producing visual art, but creativity is something we all have the tools for already! It's just a matter of making the conscious decision to pay attention to the life you're already living. Sometimes all it takes is slowing down and looking at ordinary activities through fresh eyes... it's amazing how many opportunities for inspiration surround us each and every day if we just take the time to stop and look.

I absolutely adored your gnome sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project where you based it on famous paintings, how did you find the whole project and would you do it again?

Thank you so much. I did enjoy the project - it is such a great opportunity for artists to be a part of something so much larger than any of us as individuals... so many people from around the world brought together in one place by their art, each with a uniquely different point of view - amazing. I would definitely do it again, but I wouldn't wait until 2 weeks before it was due to complete it! (Aww... who am I kidding?!? Unfortunately I'm a procrastinator, so it would probably happen the exact same way! ha!)

You have a distinctive style and your animal paintings are fabulous. Do you have any tips for drawing these that you would like to share?

I'm blushing - thank you. I have found that my best paintings are created when I focus my energy on the creation and stop worrying about what the outcome will be. The best way to do that? Drawing a single subject in many different ways - traditional pencil sketching, gesture drawing, contour drawing and non-dominant hand drawings are great. Not only does it really force you to study your subject, but it takes the pressure of perfection off (and the more drawings I do, the more likely I am to find at least one that I like and want to turn into a painting)!

Do you have a preference for the art materials you use and what is the medium of your choice?

This is a tough one because I love to play with different materials and I'm always very excited to try a new product! I'm kind of a geek when it comes to art supplies... ahhh, the smell of fresh paper and newly sharpened pencils can bring me to my knees! But, if I had to choose one material it would have to be paint. I love the versatility of paint!

How has your work changed over the years and is there one piece of work that you are immensely proud of?

This is a very interesting question... I feel like my work is constantly evolving and each piece along the way is a representation of where I was at during that particular point in my artistic journey. I have been very blessed to have my art lead to some pretty unbelievable adventures and I'm very thankful for the opportunities my art has provided. My favorite pieces are the ones that conjure up the best memories.

Other than art, what else do you enjoy?

My favorite moments are spent goofing around with family and friends. I also love to read, eat, and watch movies. Oooh - I also have a new found obsession with watching stop animation painting and speed painting videos on you tube... fascinating stuff.

Do you have tips for running an online art business?

Well, I'm pretty new to the online scene, but so far I'm applying a lot of the same principles I used when I was co-owner of a mural/decorative painting company. The first is hard work and dedication. The second is research - This past summer I took Kelly Rae Robert's Flying Lessons e-course (she now offers it as a series of e-books)... it sounds cliche, but it was absolutely life changing. As a result of the course I started my blog, opened my etsy shop, and have 'met' an incredible community of artists online that not only encourage and support my efforts, but provide endless inspiration through their work as well! (I can't help but get giddy when I think of all the amazing friendships and connections I've made online.)

In your new year goals, you mentioned that you wanted to create more edible art? This sounds really interesting, can you tell me more?

This goes back to living a creative life... Why limit myself to traditional artistic media when I can combine my love of art, baking, and eating all in one place?! ? I am amazed at the cakes, cookies and other confections I have been seeing - it's like mini edible sculptures and paintings... absolutely incredible. Cookies as canvas, cakes as clay - so very creative (and tasty)!


What does a day in the life of Kristin Dudish look like?

I gently wake to a chorus of birds as my breakfast is brought to me in bed...
Ha! Not really, but wouldn't that be nice?!?

The truth is my days are probably pretty typical of anyone trying to balance their domestic endeavors with their artistic adventures...
I generally start my day with some computer work before Tyler gets up and gets going - I try to answer emails, work on blog stuff, etc.
I plan the rest of my studio and computer time around Tyler's schedule - preschool, naps, etc.
One day a week Tyler has "Papa Day" - he spends the day hanging out with his buddy (his Grandpa) and I have the day to be hyper-productive for a big chunk of time.
When I have a big project going on, Bob is a big help with dinners. We always eat together as a family, but if I'm particularly busy I'll excuse myself after dinner while the boys play so that I can work in the studio. Bedtime is break time - we all read together and talk about our days. Then after Tyler goes to bed, I go back to work (or if my schedule permits, I spend some time with Bob).

It's a juggling act and some days are better (easier) than others... If I'm extremely productive with my art, the housework is usually suffering a bit, if the house is looking good then it usually means I haven't been in my studio as much as I would like... I'm still working on balance.

I asked Kelly this and I would like to ask you the same, is there anything else that you would like to try your hand at?

Another creative goal of mine for this year is to learn how to sew. I am so very impressed by all of the incredibly amazing fiber-arts I see online. I have always been so intimidated by sewing machines... this year I am going to face my fears!

Oh, and I would also love to try making a stop animation or speed painting video like the ones I mentioned earlier.

What’s next for Kristin Dudish?

I'm really not sure - but I can't wait to find out!

Thank you so much Kristin for taking part in my Blogs from Around the World. Best of luck with the Paint Party Friday and I look forward to joining in myself. You can buy Kristin's art here or follow her blog here.

Helen xx