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

  • 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.

    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.

    Watch on Vimeo 

  • Kate Ashton, owner and mentor of Ashton Gallery in San Diego, CA, gives commentary to "Standing in the Shadows of Love."

    Watch on Vimeo 

  • Kate Ashton, owner and mentor of Ashton Gallery in San Diego, CA, gives commentary to "Overjoyed."

    Watch on Vimeo 

Artist CV

Download the PDF (Full Version)

  • 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

  • Publications

    "Abstract Painting: For Today's Abstract Artists" 

    by Kate Ashton

    Published 2019

    Available on Amazon.com

    "Hi Ho Silver" National Exhibition

    by Ashton Gallery

    Published 2021

    Available on Blurb.com

  • Solo Exhibitions

    2023

    "The Golden Land"

    Borrego Art Institute

    Borrego Springs

    Featured Artist

    Teravarna Gallery

    Los Angeles

    "Java Jitters"

    Ashton Gallery

    San Diego

    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

    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


    2022

    Lush

    Jen Tough Artist Alliance, Artsy.com


    7th Abstract Int'l Art Competition

    Teravarna, Los Angeles, CA

    Finalist Award


    Off the Easel

    Ashton 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


    2021

    Hi 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


    2020

    Multiplicity 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


    2019

    The 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

  • 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