My name is Kristen Dahms and I am an artist.
Nature and animals are the foundation of my paintings. They offer endless inspiration and subjects for my brush. My art focuses on exploration in color, texture, and pattern. I experiment with different materials, applications, and colors to express a feeling or mood. My paintings entice the viewer to take a closer look and discover the hidden images and small paintings within the main image. Painting for me is about finding those complex layers of life and form found in the natural world and expressing them in my own way.
My process is all about layering, texture, and patterns. I start each painting with a theme and research what would be found in that setting. The paper is stained with coffee to add texture. I then layer the paper with line drawings of animals, nature, and objects. Next, Paper with text, patterns, and textures is added to the painting. After the foundation is done I start adding watercolor paint and ink. I also use chalk pastel, oil pastel, color pencils, and markers to add details.
Location: Hampton, Virginia
Education: Savannah College of Art and Design, BFA Illustration, 2005-2009
Gallery Shows
2020 March - 2020 April Arts of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City, North Carolina
2019 July- 2019 LARAC Gallery, Glens Falls, NY
2016 June- 2017 May AMP Gallery, Saratoga Springs NY
2014 September-November, New Town Gallery (Va), Guest Artist
2014 July-August, This Century Art Gallery (Va), Book Art Show
2014 June-July, Art Speak Gallery, Mathew Gallery (Va), "Walk in the Woods"(WINNER 2nd Place) and "Dreaming at Sea"
2014 March-April, This Century Art Gallery (Va), The Weekend Gallery, 4 Person Show
2013 August, This Century Art Gallery (Va), Small Piece Donation Show, "Hot Air Ballon 3D" and "Blue"
2013 July, The Charles H. Taylor Arts Center (Va), Virginia Artist 2013, "Koi Pond"
2013 January, Light Space and Time Online Art Gallery (online), artwork “Dreaming at Sea”
2012 November, The Delton Art and Historic Center (Fl), Two Man Show
2012 June, Artist Haven Gallery (Fl), “Walk in the Woods”
2012 April-May, St. Augustine Art Association (Fl), “Reef”
2012 March, Orlando Museum of Art (Fl), “Walk in the Woods” and “Spring Butterfly”
2011 December-January, Gallery at Avalon Island (Fl), “Spring Butterfly”
Nature and animals are the foundation of my paintings. They offer endless inspiration and subjects for my brush. My art focuses on exploration in color, texture, and pattern. I experiment with different materials, applications, and colors to express a feeling or mood. My paintings entice the viewer to take a closer look and discover the hidden images and small paintings within the main image. Painting for me is about finding those complex layers of life and form found in the natural world and expressing them in my own way.
My process is all about layering, texture, and patterns. I start each painting with a theme and research what would be found in that setting. The paper is stained with coffee to add texture. I then layer the paper with line drawings of animals, nature, and objects. Next, Paper with text, patterns, and textures is added to the painting. After the foundation is done I start adding watercolor paint and ink. I also use chalk pastel, oil pastel, color pencils, and markers to add details.
Location: Hampton, Virginia
Education: Savannah College of Art and Design, BFA Illustration, 2005-2009
Gallery Shows
2020 March - 2020 April Arts of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City, North Carolina
2019 July- 2019 LARAC Gallery, Glens Falls, NY
2016 June- 2017 May AMP Gallery, Saratoga Springs NY
2014 September-November, New Town Gallery (Va), Guest Artist
2014 July-August, This Century Art Gallery (Va), Book Art Show
2014 June-July, Art Speak Gallery, Mathew Gallery (Va), "Walk in the Woods"(WINNER 2nd Place) and "Dreaming at Sea"
2014 March-April, This Century Art Gallery (Va), The Weekend Gallery, 4 Person Show
2013 August, This Century Art Gallery (Va), Small Piece Donation Show, "Hot Air Ballon 3D" and "Blue"
2013 July, The Charles H. Taylor Arts Center (Va), Virginia Artist 2013, "Koi Pond"
2013 January, Light Space and Time Online Art Gallery (online), artwork “Dreaming at Sea”
2012 November, The Delton Art and Historic Center (Fl), Two Man Show
2012 June, Artist Haven Gallery (Fl), “Walk in the Woods”
2012 April-May, St. Augustine Art Association (Fl), “Reef”
2012 March, Orlando Museum of Art (Fl), “Walk in the Woods” and “Spring Butterfly”
2011 December-January, Gallery at Avalon Island (Fl), “Spring Butterfly”