The Art of Balance: Danielle Krysa

Hello! First things first, I want to say how excited I am to be part of MoveLifeStyle! YAY – so exciting! Ok, now I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Danielle Krysa. I am a graphic designer, artist, wife, mother, author, and I write a contemporary art blog called The Jealous Curator. I’ll be doing a five-question interview, every two weeks, with amazing professional women artists who also happen to be moms. We’ll talk art, motherhood, and the delicate balance of those two worlds. Oh yes – it’s going to be good!

So, since most of you probably don’t know much about me, I thought I’d start off by interviewing, well, myself! Weird? Yes, but it will be good practice! Here you go, The Jealous Curator’s first Art of Balance interview with:

Danielle Krysa {mixed media artist, art blogger/curator, and the mother of a lovely six year old boy}

JC: Six year olds are busy people! When do you find time to make your art?

DK: It was really hard before he started school, but it’s getting easier now that he’s heading into first grade. That doesn’t stop me from getting distracted by a zillion other things though, so  I have to really be conscious to carve out time to get into the studio. I rent a space outside of my home, so that when I’m there, I’m there. There’s nothing else to do except make stuff! If I worked in my house, I can guarantee, nothing would ever get done. 

JC: What does your son think about you “being an artist”?

DK: I hope he thinks it’s cool! My mom is also an artist, and I grew up thinking it was pretty amazing that my mom made beautiful things that people wanted to hang on their walls. I loved her studio, and stole supplies as soon as I could reach them. My son has just started doing the same thing, which thrills me to no end!

JC: Do you ever feel “mom guilt” when you’re in the studio?

DK: YES! It’s so strange. I don’t feel guilt when I’m doing anything else. I can go for a run, go out with friends, or work on my blog,  but being in the studio makes me feel really guilty. Clearly I need to realize that time in the studio is just as important as time anywhere else (hard, but I’m working on it!)

JC: Is your work different now, than before your son was born? If so, did he have any influence over that?

DK: After he was born my work changed dramatically. I went from being a self-centered Creative Director in the advertising world, to being an at-home mom answering to an 8lb baby. I did a whole series about going from a Type A designer, to a Type A momma. I’ve moved past that work now, but it was invaluable to me at the time (here is an example of some of that work)

JC: Do you see your life as an artist, and your life as a mother as two separate things, or do they go hand in hand?

DK: We moved to the area we live in when I was pregnant, so a lot of people here know me as “Charlie’s mom.” In the studio, I’m just Danielle. So, personally, I see them as two very different worlds. Is that bad?! See, there’s that guilt again! I love being his mom, and when I’m with him, he’s my complete focus. But when I’m in the studio, if I can ignore the guilt for a few hours, I totally get into a zone, and I feel like I’m back in my BFA days just working away. Both worlds are bliss to me. Maybe they’ll meet up one day.

Well there you have it! Kinda weird, but now you know a little more about me, and what The Art of Balance will be about! See you back here in two weeks with my first real interview!

~ The Jealous Curator xo

Author Description

Danielle Krysa

Danielle Krysa has a BFA, and a post-grad in Design. After years of looking at beautiful contemporary art and thinking "Damn, I wish I thought of that", she decided to say it out loud, and in 2009 The Jealous Curator. was born. She writes daily posts showcasing artwork from around the world, and is currently writing two books to be published by Chronicle Books in 2014. The Jealous Curator has been featured by Sunset Magazine, Frankie Magazine, Apartment Therapy and Glamour Paris.

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