KC Christmas is a contemporary painter and collage artist living and working in South Carolina. Known for her portraits and floral art, she tries to find a balance between old and new. Her work combines inspiration from art history, symbolism, and relevant topics. These topics vary - from deep, personal struggles and local scenes, to our obsession with dessert and social media.
Her work has been exhibited in many shows across the United States as well as other countries including Egypt and the United Kingdom. Recently, she had her debut solo show "Selah" in Greenville, South Carolina. She has also been published in Tapas Magazine and TWIRL: A Decade of Artist Interviews.
Her work has been exhibited in many shows across the United States as well as other countries including Egypt and the United Kingdom. Recently, she had her debut solo show "Selah" in Greenville, South Carolina. She has also been published in Tapas Magazine and TWIRL: A Decade of Artist Interviews.
Published on March 19th, 2023. Artist responses collected in months previous.
What are you fascinated with right now?
At the moment, I am fascinated with nature and the play of light. I have recently been drawn to work of the Impressionists in art history and have wanted to replicate some of their techniques. Over the past year, I have painted a lot of natural scenes (for commissions and personal work) and especially been intrigued by the differences of color depending on the time of day. I've also enjoyed painting water scenes and hope to paint a few more of those in the coming year.
What advice would you give your younger artist self?
No matter how weird it is, keep making work that you love and don't worry about finding your niche. In art school, there was this huge pressure to finding your style and your voice as an artist, but little direction as to what that means beyond "keep making work and you'll find it." And that ended up being the best advice. Your style will develop and become distinct on its own. Be curious and stay open about many things even if it doesn't seem to relate to your art practice. It will all come together and you will find an audience out there who will connect with the work.
What are your tools for creative resilience these days? Do you have any methods to stay positive when life becomes difficult and perhaps when you have limited time to create?
This year has been a bit different in the studio since I was pregnant with my first child. My output had not been as productive as previous years, but I still found ways to keep being creative. One of the biggest tools is simply time management and to make time to be in the studio. However, there were times during the pregnancy where I would be very frustrated that I was not feeling up to creating or working. When I had those moments, I tried to give myself grace and encourage myself that this is a unique season of life. It may sound cliché, but I had remind myself that I was creating art (a new life) and that was just as important. I know this season won't last forever and I will be back in the studio soon.
What is your dreamy vision for your creative career and art practice three years from now?
I have a couple of dreams for my future creative career. Personally, I would love to continue improving as an artist. I don't want to remain stagnant in my studio practice. I want my work to continue evolving and I want to improve my technical skills. Professionally, I would love to complete at least 3 new bodies of work. I would also love to have another solo show and participate in more group or regional shows. It would also be a wonderful joy to see my paper collage work used in a editorial or magazine setting.
How are you being kind to yourself as you look towards realizing your vision for your art career?
I am trying to give myself a lot of patience. My personality wants to continually work hard and see results immediately. I look back over the past 5 years and see that I have grown as an artist, but I still have so much more to give and to grow. That being said, I have entered a whole new season with this pregnancy and taking on the new role as a mother. This next season of life will probably not be as productive in the studio and no doubt there will be days I will be very frustrated with that. However, I am excited to see how motherhood will influence my work and I will try and give myself patience during this time.
What are you fascinated with right now?
At the moment, I am fascinated with nature and the play of light. I have recently been drawn to work of the Impressionists in art history and have wanted to replicate some of their techniques. Over the past year, I have painted a lot of natural scenes (for commissions and personal work) and especially been intrigued by the differences of color depending on the time of day. I've also enjoyed painting water scenes and hope to paint a few more of those in the coming year.
What advice would you give your younger artist self?
No matter how weird it is, keep making work that you love and don't worry about finding your niche. In art school, there was this huge pressure to finding your style and your voice as an artist, but little direction as to what that means beyond "keep making work and you'll find it." And that ended up being the best advice. Your style will develop and become distinct on its own. Be curious and stay open about many things even if it doesn't seem to relate to your art practice. It will all come together and you will find an audience out there who will connect with the work.
What are your tools for creative resilience these days? Do you have any methods to stay positive when life becomes difficult and perhaps when you have limited time to create?
This year has been a bit different in the studio since I was pregnant with my first child. My output had not been as productive as previous years, but I still found ways to keep being creative. One of the biggest tools is simply time management and to make time to be in the studio. However, there were times during the pregnancy where I would be very frustrated that I was not feeling up to creating or working. When I had those moments, I tried to give myself grace and encourage myself that this is a unique season of life. It may sound cliché, but I had remind myself that I was creating art (a new life) and that was just as important. I know this season won't last forever and I will be back in the studio soon.
What is your dreamy vision for your creative career and art practice three years from now?
I have a couple of dreams for my future creative career. Personally, I would love to continue improving as an artist. I don't want to remain stagnant in my studio practice. I want my work to continue evolving and I want to improve my technical skills. Professionally, I would love to complete at least 3 new bodies of work. I would also love to have another solo show and participate in more group or regional shows. It would also be a wonderful joy to see my paper collage work used in a editorial or magazine setting.
How are you being kind to yourself as you look towards realizing your vision for your art career?
I am trying to give myself a lot of patience. My personality wants to continually work hard and see results immediately. I look back over the past 5 years and see that I have grown as an artist, but I still have so much more to give and to grow. That being said, I have entered a whole new season with this pregnancy and taking on the new role as a mother. This next season of life will probably not be as productive in the studio and no doubt there will be days I will be very frustrated with that. However, I am excited to see how motherhood will influence my work and I will try and give myself patience during this time.
Find KC Christmas on Instagram