Krista Louise is trying to live a zero-waste life. For Krista, a self-taught abstract artist, that means making art using reclaimed materials.
“That forces me to try new ideas,” she says. “I hope that, by using only secondhand materials and giving them new meaning, my art will inspire others to waste less and use what they have on hand. Or at the very least to think twice before buying a brand-new item and [instead] first look for a used edition.”
Many of her current pieces are created with acrylic on old records. Krista documents her creative process on her Instagram. Paint blooms onto vinyl, transforming the worn grooves of forgotten music into new galaxies.
“Creating artwork with secondhand materials led me away from traditional canvases and to discovering vinyl as a primary canvas,” Krista says. She’s open to exploring other media, however, and is always looking for new tools, bases, and ideas. “Who knows, perhaps by next year’s art show I’ll have run out of vinyl and will have a new favorite base to paint.”
She cares deeply about housing justice in the Twin Cities and appreciates that Simpson Housing Services is a local organization. Art 4 Shelter is a natural fit for Krista, who loves the idea of art intersecting with social issues and connecting to greater things.
“Everyone can benefit from art,” she says. “There’s a reason art is put in parks, medical offices, airports. It ties us together, makes us smile or think, or stop and breathe. It makes us ask questions.
“Art helps us appreciate different viewpoints, literally and figuratively. It introduces us to new ideas, which can open us to learn about different cultures, experiences, backgrounds. It can be a bridge to another person’s world.”
She encourages other local creatives to get involved in Art 4 Shelter, noting that the fundraiser impacts both artists and neighbors in need of housing.
“After I dropped off my submissions, I felt like I had a new tie to the community. A4S made me feel appreciated as an artist and as a person,” Krista says. “If you’re an artist, there is no reason not to contribute to A4S. The happy feeling you get while you are creating will be magnified when you know your piece will be funding others in need. For me, it gave my art an extra layer of awesome.”