For as long as I can remember I have had an interest in Art. As an Adult, I found myself in career paths that allowed for creativity, both in the fashion world and photography. Living in Southern California I feel very inspired by mid-century architecture and Old Hollywood style.
Welcome to the Academy of Special Dreams Foundation Family Kristen Olinger. It is a pleasure for the Academy of Special Dreams Foundation to support and collaborate with talented artists like you. Welcome to the Academy!
About the Artist:
For as long as I can remember I have had an interest in Art. As an Adult, I found myself in career paths that allowed for creativity, both in the fashion world and photography. Living in Southern California I feel very inspired by mid-century architecture and Old Hollywood style.
Specific artist and works that have inspired me are Cindy Sherman and the characters and design she creates in her photography. Frida Kahlo and her vulnerability in sharing her medical journey so publicly. Furthermore, the movie Valley Of The Dolls, David Hockney and his pool paintings, Richard Prince and his nurse series, costume and set designs in classic movies 30’s-60’s, and mid-century architects like William Krisel.
Art has always been an amazing way to express and process different feelings and emotions and I never found this to be more true than after receiving a life changing medical diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. It is a rare genetic disorder that effects my entire body. After this initial diagnosis, several followed in what felt like a snow ball effect. A few months after my diagnosis, I started to think about a project. A way to express my feelings about my current situation. I got out my camera and I created a scene, the image captured my feelings and I felt maybe if I shared this with my friends and family, they might be able to begin to understand what I was going through.
