We recently had the chance to connect with Kristen Ulla Grunewald and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kristen Ulla, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I am an artist and I focus on two different mediums – watercolors and ink is one of my preferred mediums and the other is oil paintings. I have a shop on Etsy (an online marketplace for artists) for my watercolor works and I also create and sell oil paintings on my art website.
My day begins early and quietly, with a rhythm that helps me center myself before stepping into the flow of creativity. I wake up, always spending 30 to 40 minutes on meditation and prayer, while having my coffee. I enjoy being up before everyone else. My morning ritual feels like mental preparation for the day ahead. I’ll usually exercise or stretch – a way to wake up my body also so that I’m ready to create and market my art with energy and focus.
Once I step into my art studio, the heart of my home, the real work begins. Some days I’m surrounded by jars of ink and watercolor palettes, sketching out whimsical characters or painting bright, feathered scenes that later become designs for my KerfunkleArt Etsy shop. These pieces are lighthearted, joyful, and are offered on products like mugs or pillows through print-on-demand.
Other times, my hands are deep in the slower, meditative world of oil painting. My floral still lifes—especially my roses—are my fine art pieces, carefully built layer by layer. These paintings are destined for collectors, carrying with them the timeless beauty of flowers and the patience of traditional oils.
Because I juggle two mediums, no two days are ever exactly alike. I balance painting with the many hats of running a one-woman business. There’s photography of my work, writing descriptions, posting to Etsy, and tending to social media—tasks that keep me connected with collectors. I’ll often take a pause for lunch, step away to reset, and then return to the studio for the afternoon, either finishing a watercolor illustration or losing myself in the delicate details of a rose petal.
As evening comes, I circle back to my online presence. I’ll post, share, and interact with my audience on social media, extending the conversation that my art began. It’s a full day, but it’s one I’m deeply grateful for: a life where creativity is both my work and my joy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I have been an artist most of my life. I now focus on two different mediums – watercolors and ink is one medium I use for an online store I operate and the other is my oil paintings that I offer to art collectors. My brand is my art—and it reflects both the joyful and the soulful sides of who I am as an artist. These two mediums define my creative world.
One side of my work is my whimsical often humorous watercolors and ink art, which I sell through my Etsy shop, KerfunkleArt. This is where my imagination takes flight in bright, happy, and feel-good designs that make people smile. My playful blue footed booby birds are my top seller, along with roosters and cozy farm-inspired pieces that celebrate humor and heart. I love creating art that brings warmth and positive energy into everyday life—whether it’s a watercolor print for a child’s room or a cheerful design on a mug, tote, or pillow that brightens someone’s home. I love what I do.
The other side of my brand is my fine art oil paintings, where I focus on roses, florals, people and still lifes. These works are created with depth, emotion, and a timeless elegance for collectors and galleries. My oil paintings express a quieter beauty and a deep appreciation for nature and light, especially through my rose paintings which are a central part of my fine art focus.
Together, these two mediums—my whimsical watercolors and ink world and my expressive oil paintings—form the heart of my brand. Whether it’s a playful booby bird or a luminous rose, my goal is always to share art that uplifts, inspires, and connects with people.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The moment that shaped how I see the world was when my man, my partner of 18 years passed away. It was a heartbreak that reached the very core of me—an experience of grief that I never imagined I could endure. But as painful as it was, that loss became the moment that changed everything. It taught me how strong I truly am, and it opened my heart in ways I didn’t expect. Through the struggle, I found a deeper compassion for others, an understanding that everyone carries unseen battles, and that love and kindness are what matter most.
There’s something about tragedy that refines a person. It strips away what’s unnecessary and reveals what’s real and what truly matters. Coming through that season of mourning, I emerged with a renewed faith in God and a stronger sense of purpose. My connection to something greater than myself deepened, and my art changed with it.
Now, when I paint—whether it’s a soft rose in oil or a whimsical watercolor bird—I paint from a deeper place. My art feels more soulful, more spiritual. It carries emotion, hope, and gratitude for life’s fragile beauty. I think that kind of depth can only come from walking through the fire, the pain, and finding light and hope on the other side. My loss didn’t just change me—it transformed my art into something more heartfelt and true.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say something kind to my younger self, I would tell her to pause before reacting. To take a breath, to wait, to let time do some of the work. I’d remind her that wisdom often comes in the quiet moments between what happens and how we respond. Not everything needs an immediate answer or reaction—sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is to simply be still and let clarity rise to the surface.
I would tell her that patience is not weakness—it’s strength. That being calm doesn’t mean you don’t care; it means you care enough to be thoughtful. Life has a way of testing us, of stirring our emotions and challenging our peace, but reacting too quickly can blur what truly matters.
With time, I’ve learned that grace lives in restraint. Waiting, thinking things through, and trusting that God will guide you to the right words or actions often leads to peace instead of regret. I’d tell my younger self that wisdom grows from patience, and that every moment of stillness is a chance to choose love, understanding, and faith over impulse.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is the real me. I don’t know how to be anyone else. What you see is what you get. I’ve never been one to put on airs or try to be something I’m not. I speak truthfully, I’m honest about who I am, and I try to come from a place of kindness in everything I say and do. I think people can sense authenticity—it’s something you can’t fake—and I take the right kind of pride (maybe ‘honor’ is a better word) in being the same person whether I’m in my studio, talking to a friend, or sharing my art online.
Of course, I believe in being kind with the truth. I try to be thoughtful with my words because I never want to hurt anyone’s feelings. But honesty and sincerity matter deeply to me. I’d rather be authentic and real, even if it’s imperfect, than to pretend to be something that I am not. I think that’s what connects people—when you show up as yourself, flaws and all. I hope that comes through in my art, too, because everything I create comes from my heart.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Yes, I’ve often gotten what I thought I wanted, only to realize it didn’t satisfy me. I’ve learned that it’s almost never about the reward—it’s about the process. The excitement, the dreaming, the creating, the striving—that’s where the joy really lives. Once I finally reach the goal, it rarely feels the way I imagined it would. It’s the journey that shapes me, not the destination.
The truth is, the most meaningful things in life aren’t things at all. They’re the unseen connections—the love we share, the people who walk beside us, the moments of compassion and faith that fill our hearts. Those are the rewards that never fade. Everything else, even the achievements we work so hard for, are fleeting. But love, kindness, and relationships—that’s where the real treasure is.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KerfunkleArt
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerfunkleart/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-ulla-grunewald-ba5b77122/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristenulla
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KristenUllaStudios
- Other: www.kristengrunewald.com
https://www.pinterest.com/kristenulla
