
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
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Watch on Vimeo
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.
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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.
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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."
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Watch on Vimeo
Kate Ashton, owner of Ashton Gallery and art mentor at Art on 30th 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
Jen Tough Gallery / Artist AllianceSanta Fe, NM
Woman Made GalleryChicago, IL
Guest House StagingSan Diego, CA
Manzanita Roasting CompanySan Diego, CA
You can also find my work on:- Artsy
- Saatchi Art
- Artfinder
- Fine Art America
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Publications
"Abstract Painting: For Today's Abstract Artists"
by Kate Ashton
Published 2019
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Solo Exhibitions
2023
"Java Jitters"
Ashton Gallery
San Diego CA
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
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 2020Hand 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
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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