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SEARCHKristen Powers, nail technician. In her other life: artist.
"I never seem to lack ideas-only the time to actually get them on paper"
“I have always loved to draw and paint and I’ve also always loved to make stuff,” says Kristen Powers, a nail tech at JuJu B’s in Chesterfield, Mo. “I never distinguished between making ‘art’ or making ‘crafts’. I always just assumed either way, I was creating something from the heart.”
Powers’ art business is a mixture of illustration and design. “I do freelance illustration work for a company in New York that turns my work into quilt fabric and they sell those collections at some of the major U.S. fabric retailers. I also do logos, custom greeting cards, and vector portraits by commission,” she says. For the past five years she has also been making hand-painted charms, a skill she developed while doing nail art. “This is just a hobby. I make these for custom orders or I sometimes do local craft shows. Right now I am also working on a series of art and craft books for adults and children.” she says.
Last year, when the youngest of her three children started kindergarten, she enrolled in Maryville University to get her BFA in graphic design — the first time she has received any formal training. “It is so inspiring to learn so many new things and to be in such a creative environment. My family and all my clients are so supportive,” she says. “The salon is great about letting me show and sometimes even sell my work.”
“Sometimes people want to know where I get my ideas. I can tell you one thing, between doing nails, my business, school, and family, my life is full of inspiration. I never seem to lack ideas — only the time to actually get them onto paper!”
You can view Power’s illustrations and student work at www.kristenpowersart.com and www.iammyart.com.
An example of her work.
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