About the Artist
Kristen Dahms
Kristen Dahms graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2009 with a degree in Illustration. Since then, she has exhibited her work in numerous gallery shows throughout the East Coast of the USA. In 2015, she was selected as one of only 109 artists nationwide to be featured in Incite 2: Color Passions — Best of Mixed Media, a publication celebrating outstanding creative talent.
Since 2015, Kristen has dedicated herself to working full-time as a professional artist, showcasing her work at art festivals. Her unique artistic voice and mastery of watercolor have earned her multiple awards.
Kristen is passionate about creating art that feels whimsical, meaningful, and full of story. She enjoys connecting with collectors, fellow artists, and anyone curious about the creative process.
She currently lives in Yokosuka, Japan, with her husband and their two dogs, where she continues to find inspiration, paint daily, and explore new artistic adventures.
The Inspration
Magic
My work begins with wonder—an emotion, a memory, or a whisper of a world that feels just beyond reach. I am drawn to creatures, symbols, and natural forms that hold quiet stories, and I love researching the histories and meanings behind them. Animals, maps, fragments of text, forgotten objects, and patterns from centuries past often find their way into my imagination and onto the page. These elements become invitations: small doors through which a viewer might step into a story of their own making.
Process and Paint
The Brush
I start by staining the paper with coffee, letting it bloom and settle in unpredictable ways. These marks feel ancient and wild, like the first hints of a dream. From there, delicate lines, collage, pattern, and layered textures begin to form a visual language—one that grows slowly, instinctively, and with a sense of play. Watercolor and ink wash across the composition, carrying movement, mood, and emotion. Final tiny marks add warmth, mischief, and personality, turning each piece into a living story.
My hope is that the work feels like stepping into a place both familiar and fantastical—where curiosity is rewarded, magic feels possible, and imagination has room to breathe. Each piece is an invitation to pause, explore, and reconnect with a sense of wonder.