Kristina is the mother of a kindergartner at John Rogers. She helps with a lot of art projects in Mrs. Pon's room and throughout the school.
When did you start creating art?
I always liked doing art. I had a great art teacher in elementary school and she taught me all kinds of wonderful ways to make art.
Why do you make art?
I'm not sure why- I kind of HAVE to make art - like it's inside and has to get out. It's a way to show how I feel about things.
What role does art play in your job?
People ask me to make cakes for birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. It's part of what makes their day special. They want me to make a cake that's just right for them - that tells people something about their style, their hobbies or their special likes. I need to come up with a way to convey what they tell me about themselves into cake!
Were you nervous to show your art to others? How did you overcome that?
I don't think I was nervous. Maybe once I started making art in college and it was hung up on a wall for anyone to see. It was easier if it was just people I knew - people who had already told me that they liked what I made - it was harder when it was going to be seen by strangers. I was worried someone would think it WASN'T good when everyone had been telling me it WAS.
Where do you get your ideas and inspiration?
With the cakes I get my inspiration from what my customers are looking for.
Who is your favorite artist?
I like many artists. My favorite sculptor is Rodin, I love Alexander Calders mobiles and I really like Van Gogh's paintings - they have so much color and he used so much paint on the canvas - looks like frosting!
Why do you think art is important?
Art is a way to show someone what you have in your head or your heart without having to use words. Sometimes its hard to put it into words. It's also easy for people who speak different languages to look at the same painting and get something out of it. That's another cool thing - two people can look at the same painting and get two different ideas or feelings from it. I like that, too.
Is there some advice you have for young, aspiring artists?
There's no right or wrong way to do art. It's what's inside YOU, not anyone else. That means there's no good or bad art, either. Don't let anyone tell you there is. There can be art that you don't like, but someone else WILL like it. Make your art YOUR way and you'll find someone else who likes it too!