Kirsten Kainz and the Art of Lost and Found
Kirsten Kainz Moose greets guests at Map Brewing.
The Architect’s Wife is over-the-moon excited to share that she will be hosting an Artist Showcase featuring the work of Kirsten Kainz and Russ Fry, September 22nd from 5-8 in her downtown furniture store. You may THINK this is your first introduction to Kirsten’s work, but you’re probably wrong. Take a walking tour of downtown Bozeman and you’re likely to find several of her pieces on your sojourn. There’s the beloved Tortoise parked outside Visions West gallery(winner of Gallatin Art Crossing’s People’s Choice Award) or hang a left South of Main and you’ll find her whimsical Butterfly floating outside The Emerson. Further East you’ll find a lime green caterpillar outside Thrive and standing guard outside the Library is a larger than life Bovine.
Most of her pieces are crafted with metal, fire, and found objects that beg you to be a part of the experience. You instantly want to touch it or go for a ride on the back of that bright green caterpillar. The Architect’s Wife had the chance to ask Kirsten about how she got her start in the art world, how she balances life with four girls, and the path that lead her to Bozeman. Read on to learn more about this local gem!
A whimsical take on the Atomic chandelier hangs at Map Brewing.
1. How long have you been working as an artist?
I have been working as an artist since I earned my BFA in 1996.
Since the beginning I have been working with iron and have taught myself painting over the last ten years.
2. How did you get your start sculpting?
My first two jobs out of school were in Vermont working in an art gallery and also working in a blacksmith shop making architectural iron work. That combination allowed me to learn the craft of blacksmithing and created an outlet for my artwork. One of my first commissions was for a found object railing. Once I had my first day hunting through the local scrap yard to collect my pieces, I was hooked.
Kirsten at work on a piece for The Architect’s Wife. 3.Tell me about your process (technique, tools, etc.).
It’s great to have blacksmithing skills in my pocket, but I really came “on fire” when I started creating out of found objects using my welder. Previsualizing and then forming each creation piece by piece is magic for me. I try to use things as I find them. I only pick things up that speak to me. My goal is to make as few cuts as possible. My tools of the trade are my plasma torch and then I fuse with my MIG welder. And, of course, my hammer is usually close at hand as well.
4. You will be showcasing your sculptures at The Architect’s Wife, but you are also a painter. Do you have a favorite medium (sculpting metal, painting?). Do you divide your time between the two mediums pretty evenly? I started painting when I was pregnant and wasn’t able to weld. Sculpting has been very powerful and important for me, but painting is gaining a place in my life. I have different creative modes that come out of both. Painting offers another language to express myself because there is so much nuance in that medium, but I find beauty in both sculpting and painting. Working with paint also evolved from a very practical place. Montana’s winters can be long and I can only sculpt in the open air with good weather. Painting is something I can do no matter the forecast.
5. You use a lot of found objects in your sculptures. Where do you find them?
I find objects for my sculptures in scrap yards. I drive out to Butte, MT to shop and buy things one truckload at a time. I have acquired a reputation for being the lady who looks for junk, so I now have a steady stream of fun things that friends send my way.
6. You are the mother of four girls (lucky you!). How do you juggle raising children and finding time for your craft? Raising four little girls while keeping up with an art career requires a lot of energy. The hardest part for me is transitioning from one role to the other. When I am creating I am so entrenched in my work and when its going well I am completely swept up in it. Having to shut it all down and dash off to get the kids from school, often covered in soot and my clothing still smoldering, is tough. I feel like I’m jumping out of one hurricane into another. The only thing that keeps me going is the absolute love I have for my wild creations, my kids, and my art.
7. What advice do you have for other moms out there who may be struggling to balance family and their art career? For mothers who are frustrated because they do not have time to dedicate to their art, I say make it happen in small ways and it will continue to grow.
8. What advice do you have for young artists?
Give it everything you’ve got and do not stop. Work hard to develop your own standard of what is good and use that standard to drive your creativity. Get inspired by other people’s work. When you continually push yourself to improve based on your own notion of what is beautiful or powerful then that will reflect in your work and the market will be drawn to you.
9. How long have you lived in Bozeman? What brought you here?
I have lived in the Bozeman area for about thirteen years. My husband lured me out here from the Green Mountains of Vermont. It feels like home and love it here.
An Elk mount in the works at her Bozeman workshop.10. What book are you reading right now?
I am reading The Lord Peter Wimsey Mysteries: Whose Body? I love old British Mysteries!
11. Favorite color?
My favorite color changes often. Right now I have a strong love for Navy Blue.
12. Favorite TV show?
My favorite TV show is Antiques Road Show. Downton Abbey was great too, but sadly it is over!
Join The Architect’s Wife, Thursday, September 22nd from 5-8pm to celebrate and view the art of Kirsten Kainz and Russ Fry. We’ll have drinks and nibbles on hand for you to enjoy as well! And, Stay tuned for a blog post on our buddy, Russ on the 22nd.
