Meet Kristin Sorensen

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kristin Sorensen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kristin below.

Kristin , so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I search for things that inspire me daily. I love sharp contrast in light and colors. I love a little bit of chaos cozied up next to peace and open space. I try not to pigeonhole myself into being one type of artist. Nicheing myself isn’t something I’ve ever been interested in doing. I used to think that creativity flowed though you and that some people were just more creative than others but over time I’ve realized that we’re all creative and it’s like a muscle. Anyone can learn to be creative. Just like working out, you can learn how to use your muscles differently than you’re used to. I like to “exercise” by painting with my non-dominant hand and even painting without my glasses on.

All that to say, I really try to be creative daily by letting the world around me teach me to use my creative muscles differently.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m primarily a visual artist. I love to paint candid moments, symbolic floral abstracts, I have done commissioned home portraits and family portraits but those aren’t my focus. I am most excited about candid paintings and some very cathartic and symbolic work I’m currently producing. It focuses on the anorexia and identity loss I experienced in college.

I’m always open for commissions, my email is kristinsorensenart@gmail.com.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

As an artist I can say that understanding color theory was super impactful in my creative journey. My work began to look more realistic or at least “better” in ways I liked when I learned color theory. My advice would be to “waste” the time and the paint to get really good at using and understanding color theory.

A quality I’ve tried to improve on is emotional intelligence — really understanding the “why” behind my emotions (past and present). It’s made me a better person and a better communicator. My advice for this is therapy. I’ve been going to therapy for about 4 years now and it’s really helped my to get to the bottom of my emotions.

Some advice I’d give for those on this creative journey would be to just do the work — even if no one’s buying. Even if no one’s watching, following, listening, etc. do the thing that brings you life and joy. Your authentic, joyful, creative self is worth so much more than anything you’ll ever receive for things you produce.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

This might seem like the wrong answer to some but the Bible has played the biggest role in my development. Finding my identity in Christ and reading God’s word has freed me from the need to impress others or rely on their judgement for my worth.

God is a creator, and he made us in his image and we are his precious children. The whole Bible says this over and over but Psalm 139:13-14 says it plainly. It says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @kristinsorensenart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinsorensenart/

Image Credits

Feature photo taken by Centenary College of Louisiana’s media team.