Meet Kris Finch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kris Finch.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was the cliche’ “art” kid in school, always drawing and getting praise and support for it. After high school, I took some art classes in community colleges and then continued to study at Watts Atelier in Encinitas for 3 years. I’ll still take a class there to be around like minded people and I am trying to better my work.

I began working as a professional in 2009, when I got my first “art” job at the Carlsbad Art Farm and I still work there in the summers. I also currently teach painting and drawing classes and paint commission portraits.

Please tell us about your art.
My main focus has been oil painting portraits and of course, I would love to do it way more often. In between portrait paintings, I have been entering national art competitions. The paintings I have been entering focus a lot in storytelling, composition, color harmonies, etc. My current paintings are heavily influenced by the 1920’s – 1950’s american illustrators.

As for as why I paint… I wish it was solely for a passion, but I treat painting like a job. I give myself short term and long term goals. If I stop meeting these goals, I will stop painting.

I don’t think that my paintings will ever deliver a strong message, I just hope that the causal art fan can look at my paintings and see them as charming and fun to view. If someone takes inspiration from a painting I’ve done, great, maybe I can help them achieve a goal of theirs. My goal right now, is to always get better for some of the painters I look up to can see the quality on my work and see me as a peer.

Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
The role of most artist has always been to make a living doing what you enjoy, I don’t think that has changed much. I think the public’s demand for good art work has changed a lot though. In my opinion, the late 1800’s to 1950’s the art world was at its peak, that has changed and now people want the attention, recognition and respect of those artist without putting in the work. I think if we praise and reward great art work again, great artwork will come back.

My work has never really been affected by social events, good or bad.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I do all the social media stuff like Instagram and Facebook. I also have a Yelp page and website. I have been showing at the Oil Painters of America shows for the past year.

The easiest way, some can support me is to spread good news about my work. If you don’t want a painting of mine or a portrait painted, maybe you know someone who would.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.krisfinchart.com/
• Email: Kfinchart@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krisfinchart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kfinchart
• Other: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kris-finch-portrait-artist-san-diego

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