About Me
Hi! My name is Kristine, and I love creating art. For the past nine years, I have been developing skills in a variety of welding techniques under the guidance and mentorship of my unparalleled professor, Scott Ericksen. I have become proficient in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW, also known as Stick), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW, also known as MIG), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW, also known as TIG). TIG welding is by far my favorite, as it allows for finer and more detailed welds.
My welded snake, titled Recoil, won 3rd place in the Community Art Show in 2019. Dragon Scales: Interactive Mischief Makers earned 2nd place in the 2022 Community Art Show, and my latest creation, Spillover, also won 2nd place in the 2024 Community Art Show.
In addition to welding, I have been exploring ceramic art. I love the idea of shaping clay into any form my imagination conjures. I also enjoy working with the potter's wheel to create bowls, cups, and other vessels. Recently, I began exploring glassblowing and completed a course where I created my first paperweight and candy dish.
Artist Statement
Welcome to my world of reimagined metal, where old materials are given new life, and practicality meets thoughtful design. My artwork celebrates transformation—not just of materials, but of perspective, turning discarded metal into something meaningful and extraordinary.
I work with found materials, giving new purpose to remnants that might otherwise be forgotten. Each piece begins with a search through scrapyards, forgotten spaces, and contributions from friends and family. I’m drawn to weathered and rusted metal, whose surfaces carry stories waiting to be uncovered. These often-overlooked materials form the foundation of my creative process, each with its own unique history and potential.
As a welder and artist, I enjoy the challenge of shaping and assembling these fragmented pieces into cohesive designs. Working with found metal often leads to unexpected results as the material’s characteristics guide the creative journey. This element of surprise is part of what makes the process so rewarding.
A key aspect of my work is its functionality. I believe art should be more than something to look at—it should have a purpose and integrate into everyday life. My creations, ranging from sculptural furniture to architectural elements, are designed to be both engaging and useful. Creating functional art from reclaimed metal is a reminder that beauty and value can be found in the overlooked and discarded. Each piece tells a story of renewal and highlights the potential hidden in everyday materials.
I invite you to explore these creations, appreciate their transformation, and see the possibilities in what is often dismissed. Through my work, I hope to inspire a fresh perspective on the materials and objects we encounter daily.
On Display: Memento Mori, Memento Vivere
In my collection, Memento Mori, Memento Vivere, the balance between life’s transience and enduring legacy is explored. Memento Mori, translated from Latin, means “remember that you must die.” This is a difficult concept for many, as no one wants to contemplate their mortality. However, it also encourages us to question whether we are living our lives to the fullest.
By acknowledging that death is a part of everyone’s life journey, we are reminded to confront our fears, embrace the present moment, seize every opportunity, reflect on the legacy we will leave behind, and cherish our friends and loved ones. It also reminds us that time on this earth is limited and that we need to spend it wisely, bringing to mind the philosophy of Memento Vivere, which means “remember to live.”
I hope this collection encourages you to pause, reflect, and cherish the moments and connections that give life its meaning, while seeking the most in each day.
The collection is part of the Art and Design Faculty Exhibition at Moraine Valley Community College and will be on display from January 6 - February 2. A reception will be held on Thursday, January 30th from 11am - 1pm. For more details: https://www.morainevalley.edu/fpac/art-gallery/
My Portfolio
Spillover
Spillover is a striking art piece that captures the raw, organic beauty of unintended creation. Born from the moment molten material overflows its mold, it solidifies into a fluid, sculptural form, embodying the intersection of chance and craftsmanship. The piece showcases irregular, flowing contours that evoke movement and energy, highlighting the unpredictable nature of transformation. Spillover invites viewers to reflect on the unexpected artistry found in industrial processes and the beauty of imperfection.
13 Spirits Entwined
13 Spirits Entwined is a rebar sculpture inspired by the mystique of Sarah Winchester and her enigmatic mansion. Echoing the design of the famed Winchester Mystery House window, the piece features 13 stained glass orbs intertwined with delicate spiderweb patterns, symbolizing Sarah's fascination with the number 13 and her belief in the spiritual realm. The stained glass orbs add a kaleidoscope of color and light, representing the interplay between life, loss, and the spiritual connections she sought. This piece invites viewers to explore themes of grief, superstition, and the search for meaning in the unseen.
10,000 Ways
10,000 Ways is a visionary collection of lamps that celebrates the transformative power of light and the relentless spirit of invention. Inspired by Thomas Edison’s famous words, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work,” the collection embodies the persistence and creativity that define the pursuit of innovation. Each lamp transforms light into art, exploring the interplay of form, material, and illumination. With designs that range from ethereal to industrial, this collection pays homage to Edison’s enduring legacy while reimagining the possibilities of modern illumination.
Dragon Scales: Interactive Mischief Makers
Each dragon bowl was made from the top of a decommissioned compressed gas cylinder and is adorned by four railroad spikes that have been cut and twisted. Since each bowl has a different wall thickness it produces a different musical tone when struck with the mallet (as demonstrated in the video.
Forge & Fang
An industrial metamorphosis where discarded workshop materials find new life, this sculpture transforms horseshoe nails, mechanical nuts, and metal rounds into a vertical swarm of metallic creatures. Each figure emerges from the carefully assembled hardware, creating an ascending formation that challenges our perception of ordinary materials and turns industrial scraps into wild, crawling forms
Nighmare Before Christmas Bookends
A mesmerizing gathering of arachnids descending from the iconic curling hill, crafted from an unlikely mix of horseshoe nails, nuts, and laser-cut circles. Each spider suspends in space on invisible threads, reimagining one of Halloween Town's most famous landmarks as a playground for these mechanical crawlers. Set against the backdrop of Halloween Town's eternally full moon, these industrial arachnids embody the playfully macabre spirit of the realm where every day is Halloween. The piece captures both whimsy and gentle menace, where even workshop scraps can become characters in their own spooky story.
Recoil
Steel links flow like muscle between gleaming copper endpoints, creating a predator caught in eternal motion. Each chain segment is welded with purposeful precision to hold the snake's defensive coil, while the handcrafted copper head and tail add a flash of warmth to this industrial serpent.
Serpents' Embrace
Serpents' Embrace is a mesmerizing centerpiece forged from rebar, where twenty-three intricately crafted snakes intertwine in pairs to form delicate hearts from the bent steel itself. Each serpentine pair brings an unexpected tenderness to the mythical power and allure of Medusa. Transforming this functional piece into a bold statement of artistry, the table strikes a balance between strength and romance, where legendary creatures create symbols of love. Each heart-shaped coil captures the essence of myth and craftsmanship, creating a design that reimagines Medusa's story through a lens of love - one she herself would envy.
Sinuous Sentinel
Sinuous Sentinel transforms industrial relics into living art, where a meticulously crafted rebar snake coils vigilantly around a decommissioned compressed gas cylinder. The serpentine guardian, forged from construction steel, flows in an eternal spiral around its metallic post. Each curve of the snake's body creates a mesmerizing interplay, its alert posture suggesting both protection and perpetual motion.
Zoophyte
Zoophyte is a ceramic piece inspired by the intricate forms of invertebrate animals like coral and sponges. Reflecting the plant-like appearance and growth patterns of these organisms, the piece captures the delicate beauty and organic complexity of nature's underwater architecture.
Serpent's Forked Tongue
Serpent's Forked Tongue is a striking vessel adorned with a serpentine motif, symbolizing rebirth, healing, and protection. The design highlights the snake's forked tongue, an elegant nod to its ability to sense direction, here guiding it toward the fragrant blooms the vessel is destined to hold. This piece merges symbolism and functionality, celebrating the balance between nature and artistry.
Urchin's Armor
Urchin’s Armor captures the essence of the sea urchin, a fascinating marine creature known for its spiny, protective exterior. This striking bowl features a textured white surface reminiscent of the urchin’s natural defenses, complemented by a smooth, vibrant blue interior that evokes the depths of the ocean. The design celebrates the balance between strength and delicacy, transforming the urchin’s unique form into a functional and elegant work of art.
Contact Me!
What do you think?
I'd love to hear from you! Please contact me if you are interested in a piece, would like to commission a piece, or need anything fixed!
kmchristensen@gmail.com
708.620.7932