Happy February! This month I am happy to feature my dear friend and coach Kristina Solheim in my blog. It's been 4 years since we met at an Art Studio in Orange County, California. Kristina is been my mentor for a few years now and she has helped me with developing my business. So let's dive in and get to know more about her,
-Please tell us about yourself.
I’m a Mixed Media artist and beginner metalsmith. I am passionate about all kinds of art, and even though I've sold paintings, the idea of being in the studio every day and selling my work as a primary career does not appeal to me. I am fascinated with learning new things and figuring out systems and helping others. I loved advising and coaching in previous jobs and a mentor said to me- why not coach artists? I had no idea at the time that this is an actual career! Five years later, I now coach some amazing jewelry designers and have a group coaching program for artists called Aligning Art & Business and we are just about to go into our sixth month! I love working with these amazing, talented, compassionate women and I have found my niche. Who wouldn't love a job talking Art all day???
-Where are you originally from?
I was born in Seattle but moved to the San Francisco Bay Area when I was 22 and have been there ever since. I dream of moving back to Seattle after my son goes to college. Seattle is such a special place. The people there are unlike anywhere else.
-How did you start this journey?
I actually started writing feminist science fiction in college. I never thought I could be an artist. I thought I would write. But then in my 20s, I discovered altered art and art journaling and I was hooked! Over 20 years later... I have tried many forms of art and love learning it all!
-What would your spirit animal be?
Spirit animals is one form of spirituality that I haven't done a lot of reading about. I do love tarot and oracle decks and I have a very large collection of crystals. My favorite is the manifestation crystal which is just a crystal that has another crystal growing inside.
-Is there something that you are currently learning to amplify your skills?
I am a voracious learner and currently it's all about digital marketing and running memberships. I read business books, listen to business podcasts, and take all the business courses so that I can share what I've learned to artists who don't have time to do all that! My most recent purchase was a membership to She Podcasts as I've been incubating ideas for a podcast for at least a year.
-What inspires your work?
I think I just love learning. I want to be better at what I work at and I love creating beauty in the world and helping others to put their work out there too.
-How do you share your artistry with the world?
I love Instagram. I'm @GettotheArt on IG. I share photos of my past artworks and talk about the creative process as well as business.
-Where can we find you online?
https://instagram.com/gettotheart
https://aligningartandbusiness.com
-Do you do this full time or is it more of hobby?
I run my business part-time and hoping to go full-time soon. I'm a single mother so it is very difficult to give up the security of a day job. But my time is coming!
-What do you wish to accomplish by sharing with others your artistry?
I want to encourage artists to put themselves out there and express themselves. I want them to feel supported and confident to take the steps to running a business. I want artists to feel less stress as they make a living doing what they love. I believe there is no gold standard for how to run a business; we can make it fit our lifestyle.
-Please share a beauty routine an older generation passed down to you.
The only thing I can think of is wearing sunscreen every day. I think my SKII beauty regimen is more complex than anything my mother has done.
-What is the most important thing in your life?
Family. I did an exercise with a coach once where you are arranging your values in order of priority and the highest value on my list was family.
-Do you have a personal motto? Or Favorite quote?
I believe each of us is unique and so our viewpoints expressed through our art will always be unique. Even if you start off copying teachers while you learn the medium, no one is you or has ever been like you in all of history. Your set of experiences, desires, and responsibilities are unique to you. Don't ever worry that there is no room for you in the market!
Here are some of pictures of Kristina's business and art.
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Love + Light
Jenn Sher ⚛️🌀💟
