About the Artist:
Kristen attended CMU and then graduated from Ferris State University with a B.S. in Health Information Mgt. While attending college, she also took art courses including drawing, drafting and design.

Kristen is a Michigan native, residing in Grand Rapids,
where she also currently teaches pastel painting art courses.

Artist Statement:
Her goal is ‘to remind us of the beauty that is still in this world, and the magnificence of God’s creations. God is so good and I am blessed”.

Competition/Shows:
-One Person Show, Terryberry Gallery, Grand Rapids; 2026
-Festival of the Arts, 2022-2024; Grand River Art Award 2022
-Celebration of the Arts, FUMC; 2022 and 2024; Honorary Mention Award; 2019
-Bigby Coffee Solo Show; 2023, 2024, 2026
-Reformation 500 th Anniversary Art Competition; 2017
-Greater Michigan Art Exhibition, Midland Center for the Arts; 2015
-ArtPrize; 2009-2014
Art Education:
-Jim Markel, PSA; soft pastel class in Lowell, MI 2006, 2007, 2010
-Delta College, 2-D design, Saginaw, MI, 1999
-Temple College; 2-D Art, Art Appreciation, Temple, TX, 1995-1997
-Mary Knappe; pastel classes in Round Rock, TX, 1998
-Wilson School of Art, Temple TX, 1996-1999
Affiliations:
Grand Valley Artists (GVA), Gold Star Member
Grand Rapids Art Group
Rivertown Artists’ Guild
Christ Lutheran Church, Artist

Contact at:
Email: thorntonkris50@yahoo.com
Facebook: “Pastel Painting with Kristen”
Instagram: Kristenspastels