Somewhere between Scientist and Hedgewitch…
Kristin Kest, October 2024.
…my art is a testament to carving out one's own space.
Growing up, art became my escape hatch, and eventually, my most powerful tool for shaping my existence. It transformed from a survival mechanism into a profound exploration of autonomy and the quiet, rebellious act of creating meaning on one's own terms. Every piece I create- ceramics, a painting, or a drawing- carries this spirit of resistance and self-determination. My work is for those who seek something untethered to dogma, something uniquely theirs. Everyone can access magic.
My fascination with the natural world began in childhood, collecting dead birds, skulls, shells, and pinecones- really anything I could fit into my pockets. These natural oddities remain the artifacts of my studio, continuously inspiring my work. As a self-proclaimed natural science nerd, I hone my scholarship in botany and biology through attentive observation and drawing, always seeking the subtle, often overlooked forms in nature. This same curiosity extends to my ceramic practice, where I find deep satisfaction in experimental glaze formulation, transforming raw chemistry into alchemy to coax out colorful layered finishes.
For over 30 years, my work has been grounded in this reverence for the living world. I've illustrated books, calendars, and packaging, creating accessible entry points into scientific beauty. My practice flows between children's nonfiction, editorial illustration, product design, and fine art. Within these forms, you'll often discover figurative and feminist themes woven into the work, reflecting my belief that science, myth, and personal truth are all part of the same living fabric.
Kest at her pottery bench.
In recent years, my practice has expanded to include hand-built ceramics, especially ceremonial vessels and talismanic objects. These dimensional pieces allow me to explore storytelling with archetypes, sigils, and ritual forms. For me, art is a vital meeting ground between beauty and meaning. It’s a portal to both inner and outer worlds.
I believe storytelling doesn't negate reality; it helps us survive it. The magical, the symbolic, the fantastical: these are not escapism, but profound ways of knowing. Art, like magic, is a wild seed that connects us to the living world and to each other. My task as an artist is to pry open the door to that realm of wonder and invite everyone in.
And because art loves company, I've also spent the past decade immersed in music. I play keyboards and bass in The Weathercocks, a band I formed with fellow artist-musician Mark Zug and drummer Eric Winter. We write original songs with poetic lyrics and mood-rich soundscapes, bringing a unique energy to performances like the IlluXCon Artists Music Jam.
Thank you always for your support and generous enthusiasm for my art.
~K2
