Kristin Kwan

I have been drawing since I can remember, and was lucky to always have enthusiastic encouragement from my parents. When I was little I loved drawing animals, especially birds and dinosaurs, and I almost drove my mother crazy collecting dead birds to study and draw. I thought I might become a marine biologist or a paleontologist when I grew up, but by age 12 or so, I knew I wanted to be a professional artist. These days I'm still predominantly inspired by images of the natural world. I mostly paint in watercolor or draw with a mechanical pencil and use watercolor wash on top.

I live in southern New Mexico with my husband David and our cat Vinnie Vinosovich. In my spare time I like to tend my flower garden, go jogging early in the morning, and read (especially science fiction). Right now, due to space constraints, I'm focusing on small paintings, but as soon as I move into my larger studio area I'm going to be experimenting with large scale watercolors.



cherryblossoms







cocoon
I made this for a really great website, Illustration Friday, which I often participate in. Every week there is a one word prompt which people can illustrate however they please. This was my response to
"Cocoon."



countrygardens



crystalline



mr. and mr. nuthatch

fearless



parakeet chess



mockingbird



flora



my npr
I was very honored to be asked to paint something for the 2010 National Public Radio Calendar. In my painting I tried to share the joy and feeling of connection that NPR gives me. The crown was inspired by northern renaissance paintings.



the sisters

Contact Kristin Elder
Email contact@kristin-elder.com
Website Kristin Elder
Blog Ink Blot Paint Spot

References
Susan Mitchell
Julie Fortenberry
Orlagh Murphy
Haubs Comix