Kristin Birkenes

Kristin is an American watercolor artist whose work explores the intersection of nature, place,
and emotional experience. Working primarily in watercolor and line and wash, she combines
observational realism with expressive color, light, and texture. A former mental health clinician
with a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and a current peer support volunteer, Kristin
brings a deeply attentive and empathetic perspective to her art. Largely self-taught, she is
especially drawn to animals and wildlife, while her evolving practice increasingly explores the
emotional character of place and the stories found in everyday surroundings.
This art residency will provide an opportunity to further develop her practice through immersion
in a new cultural and visual environment. Her work is guided by curiosity and close observation,
with an interest in finding meaning in details that might otherwise go unnoticed. Through
watercolor, she seeks to create work that feels intimate and immediate, inviting viewers to pause,
look more closely, and experience a sense of connection with the subjects and places she
encounters.

Artist Statement

I am a watercolor artist drawn to the intersection of nature, place, and emotion. I combine careful
observation with expressive color, light, and texture to capture not simply how a subject looks,
but how it feels to encounter it. My background in counseling and peer support has shaped the
way I see the world, teaching me to look beyond the surface and notice individuality,
vulnerability, and the small details that reveal character. Whether painting an animal, a person, or
a place, I am interested in creating a sense of presence and connection.
During my residency in Belgrade, I hope to turn that same attention toward the character and
rhythm of the city—from the Danube and its changing moods to the city’s layered architecture,
weathered facades, distinctive doorways, neighborhood cafés, local shops, markets, and
everyday street life. Rather than simply documenting landmarks, I want to capture the feeling of
being there: the contrasts between old and new, quiet and movement, history and contemporary
life. Through watercolor, I hope to create an intimate visual record of Belgrade as I experience
it—one built from moments of curiosity, atmosphere, and discovery.Artist Website: ergivardar.com

Sasha Birkenes