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KC Christmas is a contemporary painter and collage artist living and working in South Carolina. Known for her portraits, food art, and floral art, she combines the styles of the Old Masters with relevant topics. Her collages merge art history with fanciful food, symbolism, and nature. She uses her art to explore a range of topics - from deep, personal struggles and local scenes, to the human obsession with dessert and social media. She currently works from her home studio as both an artist and illustrator.
Published on April 1st 2021. Artist responses collected in months previous.
What hurdles have you overcome this year and how have they affected your art practice?
This past year has had its own challenges between COVID, moving across the state, finishing a graduate degree, health scares, and so much more. Through it all, I think my art and art practice has grown. I was not able to have a studio space for 6 months due to the move, unless you consider a corner of my living room a studio. During this in-between stage, I learned to consolidate and keep my materials more organized. It also informed my art work. Since I had to downsize for awhile, I had to be creative and explored many other approaches and mediums. The other larger events during this past year, including COVID and other personal health scares, have helped inspire new works of art. Even the stress of a graduate degree has informed my work and encouraged me to look at art history for inspiration in the most unlikely places. This past year has been very unusual to say the least and it hasn't been easy. But I'm very grateful for it because I know I will be a better person and artist because of it.
How has your art practice been affected by the pandemic?
When the pandemic began to take hold in the United States, I was still finishing an online graduate degree. My art was on the back burner and I was slowly working on art projects in between thesis papers. Thankfully I was in that position because I did not feel tremendous pressure when things were cancelled. I had not committed to anything with my art in the spring of 2020 and that quiet phase allowed me time to sketch out ideas and build off of inspirations. By the time I graduated in May, I had finished a painting collection, started a collage series, and started two other works. Of course, there have been challenges that have come from the pandemic. But I have been encouraged to find that there are still many who are trying to support local artists and their works. I have also been able to participate in art events and connect with patrons (safely) despite these setbacks. I am grateful for a forced quiet time, which has allowed my art to go in directions I never imagined possible.
What support systems have you put in place to help keep your practice thriving amidst these unforeseeable circumstances?
I'm grateful for the support systems that have been with me through this unusual time. The biggest support group has been my husband and family. At the end of 2019, my husband and I moved to be near my parents during my father's cancer journey. We were unsure of the outcome and now that my father is in remission from cancer, we have found the process brought us closer together. My family has supported me and my art practice since the beginning and I am grateful that even during tough times, they have encouraged me to keep creating. Another support group has been a group of fellow, local artists. Most of these artists were fellow classmates in art school. During the spring of 2020, we created an art book club to discuss theology and art. This progressed into the Greenville Contemporary Collective - an art collective that has been a source of encouragement, feedback, and inspiration. We created an outdoor pop-up show and had an inaugural show in September of 2020.
What methods do you employ to stay resilient in your art practice? What tips would you recommend to other artists who find staying resilient difficult?
First, I make a conscious effort to be in my studio space every work day (Monday - Friday). I may not always create a genius work of art and some days I may not even accomplish anything artistic. However, that consistency forces me to work on the next step, whether that is cleaning the studio, or sketching, or prepping for what is next. Second, and I hope this doesn't sound contradictory, but I give myself space to breathe. I'm in a lucky position to not have to be churning out work every day in order to make a living. I can make art that I am passionate about. So even if I am in the studio and things aren't working out that day, I set it aside, and work on something else. Giving myself that space, relieves me of any pressure to deliver. I can let the creative process work through me in an organic way. For other artists, I recommend giving yourself creative space and learning to say no. Say no to things so you can work on your art practice. Also, say no to artistic opportunities that don't fit your vision.
What have you learned about yourself as an artist this year?
Oh this year has been a year of growth in many ways. One thing I have learned about myself is that I must say 'no' to things. My personality leans more towards perfectionist and saying 'yes' to any opportunity I'm given. But if I do that, I find myself being stretched thin. I get stressed and then I find any sort of creative inspiration inside of me dries up. When I say 'yes' to the opportunities that fits my creative vision and passion, I find I am more inspired and am able to save my energy for the things that matter to me. Another thing I have learned about myself is that I need periods of quiet. I love meeting with friends, family, and having a social life. When COVID happened, all interactions were cut short and any interactions were through immediate family or Zoom meetings. It was a bit of adjustment at first, but it also allowed for many times of reflection and led to new, beautiful ideas.
What hurdles have you overcome this year and how have they affected your art practice?
This past year has had its own challenges between COVID, moving across the state, finishing a graduate degree, health scares, and so much more. Through it all, I think my art and art practice has grown. I was not able to have a studio space for 6 months due to the move, unless you consider a corner of my living room a studio. During this in-between stage, I learned to consolidate and keep my materials more organized. It also informed my art work. Since I had to downsize for awhile, I had to be creative and explored many other approaches and mediums. The other larger events during this past year, including COVID and other personal health scares, have helped inspire new works of art. Even the stress of a graduate degree has informed my work and encouraged me to look at art history for inspiration in the most unlikely places. This past year has been very unusual to say the least and it hasn't been easy. But I'm very grateful for it because I know I will be a better person and artist because of it.
How has your art practice been affected by the pandemic?
When the pandemic began to take hold in the United States, I was still finishing an online graduate degree. My art was on the back burner and I was slowly working on art projects in between thesis papers. Thankfully I was in that position because I did not feel tremendous pressure when things were cancelled. I had not committed to anything with my art in the spring of 2020 and that quiet phase allowed me time to sketch out ideas and build off of inspirations. By the time I graduated in May, I had finished a painting collection, started a collage series, and started two other works. Of course, there have been challenges that have come from the pandemic. But I have been encouraged to find that there are still many who are trying to support local artists and their works. I have also been able to participate in art events and connect with patrons (safely) despite these setbacks. I am grateful for a forced quiet time, which has allowed my art to go in directions I never imagined possible.
What support systems have you put in place to help keep your practice thriving amidst these unforeseeable circumstances?
I'm grateful for the support systems that have been with me through this unusual time. The biggest support group has been my husband and family. At the end of 2019, my husband and I moved to be near my parents during my father's cancer journey. We were unsure of the outcome and now that my father is in remission from cancer, we have found the process brought us closer together. My family has supported me and my art practice since the beginning and I am grateful that even during tough times, they have encouraged me to keep creating. Another support group has been a group of fellow, local artists. Most of these artists were fellow classmates in art school. During the spring of 2020, we created an art book club to discuss theology and art. This progressed into the Greenville Contemporary Collective - an art collective that has been a source of encouragement, feedback, and inspiration. We created an outdoor pop-up show and had an inaugural show in September of 2020.
What methods do you employ to stay resilient in your art practice? What tips would you recommend to other artists who find staying resilient difficult?
First, I make a conscious effort to be in my studio space every work day (Monday - Friday). I may not always create a genius work of art and some days I may not even accomplish anything artistic. However, that consistency forces me to work on the next step, whether that is cleaning the studio, or sketching, or prepping for what is next. Second, and I hope this doesn't sound contradictory, but I give myself space to breathe. I'm in a lucky position to not have to be churning out work every day in order to make a living. I can make art that I am passionate about. So even if I am in the studio and things aren't working out that day, I set it aside, and work on something else. Giving myself that space, relieves me of any pressure to deliver. I can let the creative process work through me in an organic way. For other artists, I recommend giving yourself creative space and learning to say no. Say no to things so you can work on your art practice. Also, say no to artistic opportunities that don't fit your vision.
What have you learned about yourself as an artist this year?
Oh this year has been a year of growth in many ways. One thing I have learned about myself is that I must say 'no' to things. My personality leans more towards perfectionist and saying 'yes' to any opportunity I'm given. But if I do that, I find myself being stretched thin. I get stressed and then I find any sort of creative inspiration inside of me dries up. When I say 'yes' to the opportunities that fits my creative vision and passion, I find I am more inspired and am able to save my energy for the things that matter to me. Another thing I have learned about myself is that I need periods of quiet. I love meeting with friends, family, and having a social life. When COVID happened, all interactions were cut short and any interactions were through immediate family or Zoom meetings. It was a bit of adjustment at first, but it also allowed for many times of reflection and led to new, beautiful ideas.
Find KC Christmas on Instagram
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