Welcome to my little place of sanctuary in the middle of a crazy life! Here's a little bit about me, my story, and why my shop is named "Painted Sanctuary."

I’m Kristina, wife of Paul and mom of four.

A year and a half ago I bought a very expensive set of watercolor paints and decided it was time to create art again. (Again as in...the last time I was serious about art was back in high school. My husband had been encouraging me to take it back up...for years. But as a young mom, there were always so many reasons why it wasn't the right time.

When I was young, I loved all things creative. I was constantly imagining stories, drawing pictures, building forts, and coming up with new ideas. In college I studied Theology and Spanish. My husband and I met Freshman year, we got married at 22 years old and three months later were pregnant with our first. In the next 5 years, we had four babies, and most of that time I was in survival mode....either pregnant, or battling pretty severe postpartum anxiety. And when you are drowning, there's no creativity, there's only fighting to stay afloat.

As soon as I began painting again, it's almost like new life was breathed into me. It was similar to the feeling I got when I held my first child and KNEW deeply and profoundly that I was created for this. I can only describe it as I was more myself than I had been before... almost as if I found a forgotten part of myself. Those first months of painting was an exhilarating period of rediscovery, and joy, and growth.

Since then, I've had the privilege to create meaningful art for many people. I have been able to bring my faith, prayer, and life experiences into my paintings.

“Painted Sanctuary” was born out of the desire…the deep need really, to create. It’s my sacred space…both a refuge, but also the revelation of my heart/dreams/person in the form of paint.

Sanctuary also denotes a holy place. When I think of a Sanctuary, I imagine a stunningly beautiful place. The architecture, the way the light streams through the windows, the flowers adorning the space, the smells, everything draws one into an encounter with God through beauty. I hope that in some small way, my art can do this for you, bringing even just a touch of joy, beauty, or peace to your home.

As a Catholic artist, my passion is allowing the Holy Spirit to inspire and assist in my work. My desire is to bring others to an encounter with God through beauty, goodness and joy. I try to capture each of these things in my art.


I'm so glad you are here.

I'm so happy to be able to share my heart with you!