FAQs
Does Kirstie ship overseas?
Absolutely! Kirstie’s artworks are in collections all around the world. Simply choose “International” at the checkout. Kirstie will ensure your art is carefully packaged for international travel to ensure it arrives safe and sound. You can find out more information about this by visiting Kirstie’s shipping page.
Does Kirstie offer a money back guarantee?
Absolutely! Kirstie creates her artworks to bring you comfort and spark joy. If for any reason you are unhappy, she will refund your purchase price in keeping with her very reasonable policies. Please refer to her official returns policy for further information.
Are Kirstie’s femmes based on real people?
Truthfully? Yes and no. Kirstie frequently completes commissions of people and in this instance, achieves a close likeness. Her art nouveau femmes are, however, the culmination of being inspired by a feeling, quote or story and are then created from her imagination. She may be inspired by a person, but her femmes are all unique characters from her mind.
What comes first - the story or the artwork?
Oh, wow, this is now getting deep…
Kirstie always paints with purpose. This is because she uses her experience as a dementia trainer and classically trained musician to ensure that the finished artwork achieves meaning.
Kirstie’s inspiration comes from virtually anywhere. She may be inspired by a quote or poem, by current world events, by a funny story or quirky observation. She may be compelled to express an emotion or a thought.
Once she has determined the essence or theme together with the main subject, she then undertakes research to work out what different components (flora, jewels, patterns, insects) will be included to enhance the message or subject matter.
Once the concept is fully developed, Kirstie then allows her creativity and imagination to play freely as she paints. She believes this is what results in unusual colour combinations or patterns.
(Her children often report periods where she’ll stand quietly, head cocked to the side random times throughout the day. They report she’ll sometimes say random words as she contemplates ‘what next’. Kirstie of course, denies this!)
The stories are written after the piece has been completed. Interestingly, they are often very quick to write (less than an hour). Kirstie believes this is because she’s just spent many hours’ focused on crafting the story in her mind as she painted the piece. Therefore all was left was a matter of transcribing the story to complete the work.
Does Kirstie paint or draw her artworks?
Great question! Kirstie uses mixed media. She finds this combination allows her to achieve maximum colour impact and ensure greatest definition. The vast majority of her artworks are under-painted using watercolour washes. She will then bring intensity and details to the work by using a combination of fink ink line work (both brush and pigment liners), acrylic paint and pastels. She only uses professional grade products.
How long does each artwork take to create?
The length of time depends greatly on the physical size of the artwork and how much and many layers of detail is contained within the piece. As a general rule, Kirstie calculates each 30cm square original artwork would take between 15 and 20 hours’ to complete.
(Yes you really are getting wonderful value for your money when you buy an original piece! Also yes, Kirstie’s tired by the end but as she loves the creative process, it’s a delight to spend the time creating her artworks and stories)
My question isn’t here!
That’s no problem, Kirstie loves to help! Send her an email. She honestly loves to hear from you! Her email address is info@rememberwhenart.com or you can use her contact form.
She is responsive and will get back to you within 48 hours.