The Artist

 

                                                     

 Kristen with the always polite and handsome Friesian stallion Volkert, of The Pines of VA.  Photo courtesy of Debby Thomas.

 

Although a new face emerging to join the leagues of talent in the equine art genre; Kristen Queen is rapidly gaining notoriety for her depiction of horses of many disciplines and breeds in pastel.
 Kristen is a lifelong horse lover, owner and equestrian enthusiast.  Horses were the first subjects she began drawing as a child.  She has always enjoyed art and showed her abilities at an early age.  Throughout her childhood and teens she continued to sketch, paint and draw but has within the past three years truly pursued the potential that she has always had. 
Combining her love for horses, with her talent and skills for artistic mediums Kristen has found her true passion. 

 

Kristen has worked in graphite, charcoal, acrylic and oil paints, and in November of 2006 discovered pastel.  Since laying down the first strokes of pastel she has been consistently working in this medium, and now considers pastel her general preference. 
Kristen works on a specialized surface that is quite different from traditional pastel surfaces. The surface she uses gives the pastel a luminescent and vibrant quality in the color and texture of subject.  This surface does not require fixatives, as the 'tooth' or grain of the board firmly secures the pastel in place.  This is more convenient for shipping methods, and nearly eliminates unsettling that occurs with traditional pastel surfaces.

 Through working on this unique surface Kristen has developed unique techniques that emphasize the likeness and detail of her subjects as they develop and come alive on the board.  Her unique  methods have awed and inspired, and have also received much attention from her peers. 

 

* 2009-2011 Vice President of the Virginia Equine Artists Association.

 

* Kristen is a participating artist of the Le Cadeau Du Cheval mural project produced by Mural Mosaics due out in the Fall of 2008.

 

* Kristen is a member of the Virginia Equine Artists Association and participated in their bi-annual Equine Art Show in 2006; and is a participant in the "Celebrating The Horses of Virginia" exhibit in 2008.

 

* Kristen is also a member of the internationally recognized Equine Art Guild.

 

*Kristen is a member of the New England Equine Artists Experience

 

* Kristen has also exhibited with the Blacksburg Regional Artists Association, and was part of the “All Creatures Great and Small” exhibit held at Virginia Tech in 2007.

 

She has also shown with several other local venues, and exhibits.

 

Although specializing in equine related subject matter, Kristen also portrays pets, other animals, and wildlife.  She is also always willing to help out a great cause and often donates her work for charity organizations that assist in conservation, rescue, rehabilitation, or awareness causes. 

 

Surrounded by Virginia's renowned horse country to the north, south, east and west this leads to her affection for horses of all kinds, and sparks her deep fascination and opportunities to  see nearly every discipline a horse can excel in.  Kristen is only a little over an hour away from the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia and visits often during show season and special events.
 

Kristen is also an accomplished amateur photographer and prefers to take her own reference material for prospective portraits. Kristen will happily travel to meet with prospective clients, and to photograph your animals at no extra charge within a 100 mile radius.  She can travel to your home, show, barn, kennel, or wherever you may be, to photograph the reference material suitable for the portrait of your choice.  

 

Kristen is located in central Virginia, known as the geographical “Heart of Virginia” where she lives with her husband and ‘fur children’; 1 dog, 4 cats, 1 horse, 2 donkeys, 1 pig, 1 goat, 1 sheep, 2 ferrets, 14 chickens, and a goldfish!  Her love for animals shows in her spirit and her willing attitude to take in any creature that needs a home or helping hand. 

Asides from her artwork and being with her horses and animals Kristen enjoys photography, being outdoors, kayaking, reading, learning something about everything, and volunteering throughout her community. 

 

To schedule and appointment or for more information please contact Kristen by phone or e-mail at: kristenqueenart@yahoo.com  or 434-547-9906.  If no, answer please leave a message and she will return your call as soon as possible.

 

 

All Artworks Copyright © Kristen Queen. No use or reproduction without permission.