Kristen Buwalda, a local artist and muralist, is transforming how people experience art in Central Oregon. As the owner of Chalked Created, she aims to create inclusive and enjoyable art experiences for individuals of all skill levels in Central Oregon.
A Personal Experience with Paint and Sip
Last November, my husband and I attended one of Kristen Buwalda’s Paint and Sip nights at Bevel Brewing to celebrate my birthday. We quickly discovered that Buwalda’s Paint and Sip sessions are not your traditional art lessons but rather relaxing activities where anyone – I mean anyone – can be successful regardless of past art experience.
For those unfamiliar, a Paint and Sip event involves an artist guiding participants step-by-step through creating a predetermined painting. These sessions, lasting about two hours, provide all necessary supplies and often include one drink with the ticket. These events are typically hosted by breweries or wine bars, with all the locations serving non-alcoholic beverages in addition to your beer and wine. The designs she paints vary, but some focus on Central Oregon, including the Three Sisters Mountains and Smith Rock.
She really prioritizes building strong relationships with business owners around Central Oregon. She wants her relationships with the places that host her to be symbiotic – her events bring people into the businesses, and the businesses provide her with a great environment to conduct the event.
One of the highlights of our evening was the laughter. Buwalda’s dry wit and playful demeanor made the experience so enjoyable and far from intimidating. She likened these events to therapy sessions, noting that many people are surprised by their own self-consciousness when it comes to art.
This is exactly why Budwalda aims to create a low-stakes environment. The relaxing, fun vibe of these evenings is an intentional effort to create a space where people aren’t intimidated by being creative and doing art. “My goal is to provide something a little different to do with people you enjoy,” she shared. “I move at a pretty slow pace so you can focus on hanging out with the person you’re with.”
There’s no pressure or striving for perfection, just like when one goes axe throwing or go-carting or rock climbing, most people don’t intend to become professionals. Budwalda’s Paint and Sip evenings are meant to offer attendees a supportive place to play, get creative and have fun.
Journey to Becoming a Full-Time Artist
In addition to her Paint & Sip classes, Buwalda is a talented artist who creates in a wide variety of mediums and claims she fell into most things almost accidentally. Her professional creative journey began about seven years ago when she was working at Crater Lake Spirits. They wanted to introduce their downtown tasting room to new customers and needed an artist. “Why don’t we just buy the supplies, and I’ll do it?” Buwalda suggested. This suggestion marked the beginning of her Paint and Sip events.
From there, her artistic career further developed by chance when she created chalkboards for her own wedding, which caught the attention of the catering company. They offered to recommend her in exchange for chalkboards at a wedding expo, leading to her first commissioned art gig. Today, she has created chalkboard menus for over ten local businesses. She deeply values the relationships she has built with other artists and business owners in Bend, which have helped her foster her supportive and symbiotic community.
In addition to chalkboards, Buwalda is a talented muralist, creating beautiful, immersive works, the likes of which can be found in her newest mural for the recently opened Mill Works Pub in the Old Mill District. She says she doesn’t have one favorite art form in particular but rather likes to do a mix of things and hopes it stays that way. Buwalda also offers private parties along with the creation of marketing materials, such as logos and graphic design, where she embraces the challenge of bringing her client’s visions to life.
New Projects and Summer Markets in Central Oregon
Buwalda’s latest projects include designing two coloring books: one for younger kids aged three to eight, featuring real and imaginary animals (and a robot!), and another for ages eight and up, with detailed characters and reimagined princesses and dungeons and dragons themes. These princesses are drawn to inspire strength and bravery in children, reflecting Buwalda’s hope to empower young imaginations.
Looking ahead, Buwalda aspires to illustrate children’s books, focusing on characters that explore and express bravery. This summer, she will sell these coloring books, custom-designed stickers, paint kits, and other art pieces at several markets around Central Oregon.
Peruse the 9th Street Village Makers Market at Bevel Brewing and the NW Crossing Farmers Market in order to pick up one or two of her beautiful creations. When she’s not there, you’re likely to find her hanging around town with her husband, a ski patroller and med tech, their two children, and their two avalanche dogs, Banyan and Jetty.
Ultimately, Buwalda’s work highlights the importance of inclusive and accessible art experiences. Her Paint and Sip events encourage people to embrace their inner creativity and enjoy the process of making art.
For a schedule of her events, visit Buwalda’s website, www.chalkedcreative.com.
