Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Hoover.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been creating art for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been artistic and studied art throughout grade school all the way up to receiving my MFA from Clemson University in printmaking. I taught adjunct for a while, but after having my son and relocating, I still had the urge to create. I took a leap and tried doing local art shows, which became a springboard into turned my art practice into a business.
I officially turned my artistic practice into a business 5 years ago. I specialize in printmaking and create a lot of my work through the woodcut process. I connect with the physicality, and tactility of the printmaking process; It’s like creating a 2-dimensional sculpture. I love the feel of the wood with its rough and warm touch, the meditative quality of carving layer after layer.
After moving back to Florida, I became inspired by the bright and colorful Florida landscape. My surroundings have always played a role in shaping my compositions. I aim to transform ordinary life into something new and extraordinary; highlighting the bright, bold, and colorful beauty found outdoors.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I definitely had challenges starting out. Trying to navigate pricing- Like most beginning, I was selling originals way too cheap. I did a lot of local markets in the beginning as well, which was great exposure to a large audience base, but they take a lot of your energy, and sometimes the sales just aren’t there.
I’ve had Artwork damaged, framed scratched, and had to reevaluate how I transported and displayed pieces. There were lots of little variables you don’t think of until they happen. It’s always hit or miss if something you created is going to impact/be attractive to someone else, and sometimes work just doesn’t sell.
I still do local art markets, but not as many, and have shifted my focus into growing my online presence, which again isn’t without its obstacles. Finding customers, having them have enough trust in you, and your product to buy it is big. Navigating different online platforms, advertising new artwork, running a website, all take time, but it’s working, and I’ve seen a steady increase over the years.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I create colorful nature-inspired artwork, but what sets me apart is the process I create in. I’m known for creating in the reduction woodcut printmaking process.
I use one block of wood that I draw on and carve by hand layer by layer- color by color until the block is reduced and most of the image is carved away. I roll the surface of the carved block of wood with ink (each color is a different layer that gets rolled off the same block). I place the paper on top, and pressure is applied to transfer the ink to the paper.
I produce small limited editions of each image, and once the block is fully carved and the last color is printed, the edition is done. I can not print anymore from the block of wood, making them truly unique.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I see the art/handmade industry growing. Buying local seems to be a growing trend that I hope continues to only get bigger.
Contact Info:
- Email: kristinahooverfineart@gmail.com
- Website: www.kristinahooverfineart.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/kristinahooverfineart
- Facebook: facebook.com/kristinahooverfineart
Image Credits
Katie Ventura Photography
