Kristen Hawkes is a Santa Barbara, California based painter. Anyone who lingers with one of her pieces for a few moments will ultimately take notice of the splashes of bright and distinctive colors that dance across her canvas. She typically begins her process with a photo or concept which captures her imagination. She composes an abstract and colorful under-painting and then adds layers upon that to bring life and form to the canvas. Her goal isn’t faithful representation, but rather playful exploration of shape and color.
Kristen has worn many creative hats in her career. She was formally trained as a graphic designer and worked professionally in this capacity for many years. Continued exploration opened doors in the fields of fashion design, visual display, and advertising. Her diverse career and interest in travel led her to live and work in various communities across the United states, as well as time in Europe. Kristen finds great pleasure and inspiration volunteering teaching art to young children.