Kristen Fissell is a Coast Guard veteran and visual artist. Lately she has been using watercolor paint or alcohol markers layered with micron pen to create whimsical, colorful scenes that are inspired by her surroundings or involve animals doing fun activities.

During her time at Roger Williams University Kristen used sculpture, performance, and photography to explore themes from her time in service such as gender, hierarchy, and life at sea. Using old uniforms, navigation references and ephemera she created large scale mixed-media works for a unique student solo show.

Kristen’s paintings range from making pet portraits for her friends and family to experimenting with imaginative landscapes in the Bay Area and other places she’s visited. Kristen is obsessed with the marine mammals and conservation of native species such as the California condor, elephant seal, and California sea lion and likes to put these in her creations. In between working at the Asian Art Museum as an art handler and preparator, Kristen is experimenting more with her sewing machine by making custom bags, curtains, and other utilitarian items.