Artist Statement

A landscape lover pulling inspiration from regional areas and nature for my creative choices; translating the beauty and atmospheric feeling of these places into marks, color, and texture that often result in dramatic shapes, gestural lines, and visual tension.

Artist Bio

Kristen Guest is an award-winning and published full-time artist as well as a certified art instructor in San Diego, California who works in a variety of mediums and genres. She graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Art Education, that focused on painting, book arts and printmaking, and has been teaching realism painting since 2004 and abstract painting since 2018.

Currently, Kristen is the Resident Artist at Bernardo Winery, where her studio is located, and she is a Mentor and the Director of Education at Art on 30th. Her work is represented through Ashton Gallery in San Diego, Woman Made Gallery in Chicago, Jen Tough's Artist Alliance on Artsy, Guest House Staging, and Manzanita Roasting Company. Kristen is best known for using muted and earthy hues that comes out of her love for nature, expressive gestural line work, natural textures, and a simplistic approach to composition.

Exhibit & Commentary Videos

  • Kate Ashton, owner of Ashton Gallery and art mentor at Art on 30th in San Diego, CA, gives commentary to "A Place In The Sun," which won first place in the "75 & Sunny" regional exhibit.

    Watch on Vimeo 

  • "The Power of Small Things" National Exhibit 2019 at the Port Angeles Fine Art Center. My artworks selected for this show are featured at the :42 minute mark.

    Watch on Vimeo 

  • Kate Ashton, owner of Ashton Gallery and art mentor at Art on 30th in San Diego, CA, gives commentary to "Standing in the Shadows of Love."

    Watch on Vimeo 

  • Kate Ashton, owner of Ashton Gallery and art mentor at Art on 30th in San Diego, CA, gives commentary to "Overjoyed."

    Watch on Vimeo 

Artist CV

  • Education

    2016–2017
    M.F.A. graduate work
    Media Design
    Full Sail University
    Winter Park, FL

    2000–2007
    Bachelor's of Science
    Art Education
    Middle Tennessee State University
    Murfreesboro, TN

  • Representation

    Ashton Gallery

    San Diego, CA

    Jen Tough Gallery / Artist Alliance

    Santa Fe, NM

    Woman Made Gallery

    Chicago, IL

    Guest House Staging

    San Diego, CA

    Manzanita Roasting Company

    San Diego, CA

    You can also find my work on:

    • Artsy
    • Saatchi Art
    • Artfinder
    • Fine Art America

  • Publications

    "Abstract Painting: For Today's Abstract Artists" 

    by Kate Ashton

    Published 2019

    Available on Amazon.com

  • Solo Exhibitions

    2023

    "Java Jitters"

    Ashton Gallery

    San Diego CA

    2021

    Resident Artist Showcase

    Bernardo Winery's Tasting Room

    San Diego

    2019

    "Pedals for the People" A Benefit for San Diego Bicycle Coalition

    Ashton Gallery

    San Diego

  • Group Exhibitions & Awards

    Sept–Oct 2022

    "Off the Easel"

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    1st Place

    Oct 2022

    “7th Abstract International Juried Art Competition"

    Teravarna, Los Angeles

    Finalist Award

    July–August 2022

    “6th Abstract International Juried Art Competition"

    Teravarna, Los Angeles

    Talent Prize Award

    July–August 2022

    “Summer”

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    April–May 2022

    "Solidarity"

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    Oct–Nov 2021

    "Hi Ho Silver National Show"

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    Sept–Oct 2021

    "Off the Easel"

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    Aug–Sept 2021

    “Summertime"

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    Honorable Mention

    Jul–Aug 2021

    “Celebration"

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    Honorable Mention

    Jun–Jul 2021

    “Full Circle"

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    Honorable Mention

    Apr–May 2021 

    "Tuxedo"

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    Mar–Apr 2021

    "#Obsessed"

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    Dec 2020–Jan 2021

    "Multiplicity National Show"

    Jen Tough Artist Alliance, Santa Fe

    Dec 2020

    "Wintergreen"

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    Dec 2020

    "Small Works National Show"

    Jen Tough Artist Alliance, Santa Fe

    Nov–Dec 2020

    "Surf City Virtual Arts Fest"

    Huntington Beach Art Center

    Huntington Beach, CA

    Nov–Dec 2020

    "Inspired Member Annual Show"

    Huntington Beach Art Center

    Huntington Beach, CA

    Oct–Nov 2020

    "Natural Worlds National Show"

    Jen Tough Artist Alliance, Santa Fe

    Oct 2020

    "Flora & Fauna National Show"

    Jen Tough Artist Alliance, Santa Fe

    Sept 2020

    “Staff Picks - Curatorial Staff International Feature"

    Artfinder

    Aug–Sep 2020

    "Quarantine Aquamarine"

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    Apr 2020

    Hand Selected for The Other Art Fair's "Los Angeles Online Studios"

    Saatchi Art

    March 2020

    “Artist of the Month - Curatorial Staff InternationalFeature"

    Artfinder

    Jan–Feb 2020

    "The Many Faces of Red"

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    Jan–Feb 2020

    “Centered on the Center"

    Huntington Beach Art Center

    Huntington Beach, CA

    Jan 2020

    "Ones to Watch 2020 - Curatorial Staff International Feature"

    Artfinder

    Aug–Sep 2019

    "The Power of Small Things National Show"

    Port Angeles Fine Arts Center

    Port Angeles, WA

    Jul–Aug 2019

    “75 & Sunny”

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    First Place

    Jul–Aug 2019

    “28th Annual Juried Exhibition”

    Athenaeum Art Center, La Jolla CA

    Jun–Jul 2019

    “Double Trouble”

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    Juror's Choice 

    May 2019

    "Monthly Curatorial Staff International Feature"

    Saatchi Art

    Jan–Feb 2019

    "Creamsicle"

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    Jul–Aug 2018

    “Going Green”

    Ashton Gallery, San Diego

    Honorable Mention

    1997–1998

    "House of Representatives' National Artist Competition"

    Lincoln Tunnel, Washington D.C.

    First Place Winner in Tennessee's District #70

  • Experience

    2017–Present 
    Art on 30th
    Mentor & Director of Education

    2017–2018

    The Art Stash
    Art Instructor

    2016–2017
    Lessons.com 
    Private Art Instructor

    2014–2015
    Inspire SD Studio
    Art Instructor

    2009–2010
    Military Spouse Group
    Art Coordinator & Art Instructor

    2008–2010
    Paper Source
    Retail Assistant & Art Instructor


    2007
    Smyrna High School
    Interim Art Instructor

    2004–2006
    The Art House
    Resident Artist & Art Instructor