
Artist Statement
I'm 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.
– Kristen Guest

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
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Watch on Vimeo
Kate Ashton, owner and mentor at Ashton Gallery in San Diego, CA, gives commentary to "A Place In The Sun," which won first place in the "75 & Sunny" regional exhibit.
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Watch on Vimeo
"The Power of Small Things" National Exhibit in 2019 presented by Port Angeles Fine Art Center. My artworks selected for this show are featured at the :42 minute mark.
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Watch on Vimeo
Kate Ashton, owner and mentor of Ashton Gallery in San Diego, CA, gives commentary to "Standing in the Shadows of Love."
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Watch on Vimeo
Kate Ashton, owner and mentor of Ashton Gallery in San Diego, CA, gives commentary to "Overjoyed."
Artist CV
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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
Guest House Staging
San Diego, CA
Artist Memberships:- Oceanside Museum of Art
- Jen Tough's Artist Alliance
- Woman Made Gallery
- Blue Line Arts
Online Galleries:- Artsy
- Saatchi Art
- Artfinder
- Fine Art America
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Publications
"Abstract Painting: For Today's Abstract Artists"
by Kate Ashton
Published 2019
Available on Amazon.com
"Hi Ho Silver" National Exhibitionby Ashton Gallery
Published 2021
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Solo Exhibitions
2023
"The Golden Land"
Borrego Art Institute
Borrego Springs
Featured ArtistTeravarna Gallery
Los Angeles
"Java Jitters"Ashton Gallery
San Diego
2021Resident 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
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Group Exhibitions & Awards
2023
5th Color Int'l Art Competition
Teravarna, Los Angeles, CA
Honorable Mention Award
4 Square
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
The Space in Between
Jen Tough Artist Alliance, Artsy.com
Righteous Red
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
2022Lush
Jen Tough Artist Alliance, Artsy.com
7th Abstract Int'l Art CompetitionTeravarna, Los Angeles, CA
Finalist Award
Off the EaselAshton Gallery, San Diego, CA
1st Place
6th Abstract Int'l Juried Art Competition
Teravarna, Los Angeles, CA
Talent Prize Award
Summer
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
Solidarity
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
2021Hi Ho Silver Nat'l Show
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
Off the Easel
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
Summertime
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
Honorable Mention
Celebration
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
Honorable Mention
Full Circle
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
Honorable Mention
Tuxedo
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
#Obsessed
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
2020Multiplicity National Show
Jen Tough Artist Alliance
Wintergreen
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
Small Works Nat'l Show
Jen Tough Artist Alliance
Surf City Arts Fest
Huntington Beach Art Center
Huntington Beach, CA
Inspired Member Annual Show
Huntington Beach Art Center
Huntington Beach, CA
Natural Worlds Nat'l Show
Jen Tough Artist Alliance
Flora & Fauna Nat'l Show
Jen Tough Artist Alliance
Staff Picks - Curatorial Staff International Feature
Artfinder.com
Quarantine Aquamarine
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
Hand Selected for The Other Art Fair's Los Angeles Online Studios
SaatchiArt.com
Artist of the Month - Curatorial Staff InternationalFeature
Artfinder.com
The Many Faces of Red
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
Centered on the Center
Huntington Beach Art Center
Huntington Beach, CA
Ones to Watch 2020 - Curatorial Staff International Feature
Artfinder.com
2019The Power of Small Things National Show
Port Angeles Fine Arts Center
Port Angeles, WA
75 & Sunny
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
First Place
28th Annual Juried Exhibition
Athenaeum Art Center
La Jolla, CA
Double Trouble
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
Juror's Choice
Monthly Curatorial Staff International Feature
SaatchiArt.com
Creamsicle
Ashton Gallery, San Diego, CA
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Experience
2017–Present
Art on 30th
Mentor & Director of Education
2017–2018The 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