Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristy Lee Green.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My artist name is Kristy Lee, and this is my story. As a child, I was aware early that I had a passion and talent for art. But coming from a home with five children, an alcoholic father and a mother that did her best to keep us fed, there was no money for art supplies and sometimes not even a pencil. One time I tried to enter a contest for an art school by drawing the pirate on a matchbook cover, however my parents never sent it. They couldn’t spend precious money for a stamp. I couldn’t understand it then but certainly do now. As a child, I got teased a lot in school for my red hair and shabby clothes but I was determined to be something one day. In high school, I decided to take the technical route and became a Beautician. I moved to NYC and stayed with my Aunt until I could land a job and an apartment. I started working for Paul Mitchell Salon and I was on my way. I gave that profession my all and rose quickly to the top. I preformed on stage, teaching new techniques and worked with high-end magazines. I had made it in the beauty industry with hard work and determination.
During this time I married and had a family. My time was full. Years later, when my last child left the nest, I knew it was finally my time to explore the side of me that was dormant and waiting to escape. Where and how would I start? I talked my friend into attending a class at a local art school with me. She hated it and I loved everything about it. And so it begins. It’s been over 12 years since that first class. Although I have taken some art classes since that one, I am basically a self taught artist. I paint almost everyday, honing my skills and experimenting with new ideas. I am home, I feed my passion everyday and it never gets old. Art is my drug and I am high on it. These days I volunteer at Mills Gallery, bringing light to other local artists. I hold free classes sharing my knowledge with artists on “How To Approach A Gallery” so they can move their art to that next level. What most people don’t know, is that becoming a professional artist is a lot of work. Not only does the artist need to produce wonderful works, but there is a lot of back work. After producing the work, there is categorizing that work, and finding new ways to show and sell it.
Each day there has to be time dedicated to building your brand and getting your work noticed. Not to mention the work it takes getting into galleries, entering open calls for artists, applications for upcoming shows, and finding places that will display your art for sale. And then there is working your social media platforms. There is so much background work to do, that it is no wonder that fantastic artists never get recognized. The time and money it takes working to reach the top in this field can be exorbitant and exhausting. But when a collector buys a piece of your art there is no better feeling. It’s a validation that what you are doing is worthy. This has been an exceptionally hard year for me through Covid. Early in April I lost my beloved Uncle and a close friend. This took me to my canvas in a very different way. I was painting through my grief and it came from a place I never felt before, but as I look back on those paintings now I feel they are my most powerful work to date. I will continue my practice as an artist, because I love it and it feeds my soul. I will also continue to give back as much as I can through charity work and sharing what I’ve learned. I will never forget where I came from, the struggles and the work it took to get where I am today, and hope to be tomorrow. Maybe one day I can inspire another underprivileged young person to reach for their passion and find it.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The struggles that I have had to date are not much different from other aspiring artists in any field. It’s time and money. Coming from a poor family made it almost impossible for me to practice as an artist in my youth. Then while working full time and raising a family time was the issue. It wasn’t until I finished those jobs, and time was my friend that I was able to follow my heart and my passion.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My first career was a Hairstylist, I worked that career most of my adult life and loved every minute of it. I rose to the top of the field in NYC through hard work and long hours on my feet. I know my love for art helped me be successful and I am so proud of what I was able to accomplish in the beauty industry. I bring that same work ethic to my practice as an artist. It has done well for me.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I am an avid walker, I enjoy listening to podcasts and books on tape. Many of those are about my industry or how to increase my knowledge and grow my practice.
Contact Info:
- Email: kristyleeart@gmail.com
- Website: www.KristyLeeArt.com
- Instagram: KristyLeeArt
Image Credits
Orlando Sentinal Art Curator – Federica D ‘ Avanzo
