We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristin Hulda and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristin, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
In the beginning I was working all the time but quickly realised that it is not my natural pace. I still work all the time now, but the difference is I take breaks when I need to and want to, I don’t stick to a 9-5, 5 days a week routine. A long term sustainable pace is what matters to me. I want to be creating art when I am 90 and still enjoy it. It is about the journey and the process for me, the money will come when your output happens during ‘flow state’ so I take my mental and physical health very seriously.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I am proud of the fact that I get to wake up everyday and ‘make cool shit’ and still pay the bills. I am excited about finding and trying new ways to generate income. My latest undertaking is affordable and accessible original art within the interior design industry. I appreciate companies that create prints, but to interact with a real piece of art painted by hand is a simple pleasure. I want to give that experience to everyday people at an attainable price point.
I have a deep love for making beautiful patterns and flowing shapes. I mimic the chaotic beauty of nature and femininity using strong palettes and bold movements and my minimalist compositions balance these wild elements by bringing order and proportion to my pieces.

My latest collection is about the celebration of form and appreciation for simple, beautiful elements. A combination of structured linework and loose brushstrokes creates a conversation between curiosity and conformity, masculinity and femininity, pattern and chaos and ultimately acceptance of them all as part of the holistic human experience. It is the search for balance, to take a step into the unknown in the search for growth and possibility while one foot remains in a comforting place with order and stability.

The lesson I am constantly learning is that my health and wellbeing are the biggest influencing factors in my success. My mother passed away last year after a long term illness and it placed extraordinary stress on my life and business. Having the compassion to realise this and take care of my body and mind, to not push myself past healthy limits has been a lesson in maturity for me. I took a toll financially, but I feel ready to keep growing now instead of shriveled up and burnt out. I didn’t punish myself for not having the capacity to work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Firstly, a week is not enough, South Africa has so much to offer and I would love to arrange a safari. Africa is proud of its wildlife and for good reason, seeing wild African animals is a must for anyone who hasn’t experienced it before. The big cats are my favourite, and giraffes are just spectacular creatures.

If it is only a week, we would visit the local Indian restaurant, Ashkaya Patra with our friends Trent and Istene. Go rock climbing at City Rock with Keiyo and Jacobus. We’d have beer and champagne to support Jess and Warren at their brewery, Wildebeer. For a night of live music and dancing I would ask Liz to handle the itinerary, she’s a music fundi.

We would definitely spend time simply existing in my home as well, it is a sanctuary to all who visit and is where we can effortlessly be ourselves and talk. Reando would probably love to ‘braai’ or boil a ‘potjie’ for our guests; a South African tradition where we cook meat (and veggies) on a real wood fire.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My fiance, Reando, and the friends I have chosen to surround myself with. Reando continues to support me and has been crucial in helping me realise and own my artistic self. He’s an entrepreneur and gave me courage to pursue this lifestyle as he made it seem so normal to work for yourself. He’s here to give honest feedback, guidance with business decisions and unconditional love.

My friends are mostly entrepreneurs and we are a massive support group because we understand and can share the stress of business. We all get away together to adventure and try new things which has boosted my confidence around my general capabilities in life which translates to my business decisions. I’ve learnt how to wakeboard and scuba dive in the last year! They are always here to share ideas and successes with, without jealousy or negativity.

Website: www.kristinhulda.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristin__hulda/ and @studiokristinhulda

Other: Email: studio@kristinhulda.com Phone: +27 72 329 9390

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