Kristin Harvey: Artist

When contemporary artist Kristin Harvey moved to southern Arizona, she was immediately drawn in by the unique landscape of the area. The scenery of the area along with the love of nature that had been instilled in her since childhood helps inspire her work. 

“Every time something gets a little too tough, I always turn to nature. It seems like that's the way that I can stay in touch with myself and keep remembering all the good that there is in this world. When I'm having a difficult time I go directly for a hike, go out in nature, walk, connect, get inspired.”

Kristin emphasizes color the most in her work, filling her palette with a full rainbow or pushing specific colors to convey a particular mood. Rather than going for pure realism, she strives to depict the emotions that she feels when interacting with nature.

“It's not representational, but it allows the viewer to connect with it still as something from nature. And that's what's most important to me, is that the viewer is able to connect with something and say, ‘I recognize that,’ but it creates a completely different feeling than maybe they would get standing there in real life.”

Working in her studio, Kristin experiences peace and joy while connecting with nature through the medium of her artwork. Her hope is that viewers would feel the same connection through her colorful creations. 

“That's what I really want to do with my work, is to just bring that full circle, that joy that you feel in the outdoors. I want people to be able to experience that indoors because not everyone can get out and enjoy the outside world as a lot of us can.”

Visit Kristin Harvey’s website for more info on her work.

A film by Peter Fuhrman.