Local creative gives front ‘Rowe’ seat to her art
Published:Friday | February 6, 2026 | 12:05 AMKrysta Anderson /Staff Reporter
Art is a unique medium for expressing truth and reality, and for Kristina M. Rowe, it came naturally from a young age. By the time she entered school, she was already on the path to a creative career. After earning her bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 2009, Rowe pursued her work as a portraitist and muralist.
“Painting is my first love, so I have always been a paintbrush girlie. I was meant to be a painter. But I needed to explore my creativity in a way that would fulfil my desire for self-expressions. My interest in art consistently grew.
“And I found myself enjoying every bit of artistic engagements, new perspectives, and learning about potential career avenues. Becoming a muralist was just an added bonus of my venturing out to paint on a much larger scale,” she told Living.
She recalled her fondest art memory being her first exhibition from her final-year showcase at the tertiary level. “This was going to be an introductory event for me along with my peers as upcoming fine artists. It was at this show I had sold my first painting. This sale gave me the confidence boost I needed. I believed it left me encouraged and even more motivated to explore life as a visual artist.”
Although she was still producing art works and doing exhibitions fresh out of college, Rowe incorporated a financial balance by working full-time in the public sector. “Art was initially my side gig,” she explained, noting that everything changed during the global pandemic. “In 2020, I was made redundant and left without a steady income. And that’s where art became my saving grace. It helped with my mental health and I was able to cope within those lockdown periods.”
By 2021, the creative made a valiant attempt again to secure a nine-to-five, this time with the public sector. But this proved to be futile and was followed by a swift resignation. “With no job security, I decided to trod the entrepreneurial route and use my talent to garner cash. I have been a trained fine artist so to speak from 2009, which would make it sixteen years now. But I have been practising art full time since 2022,” she revealed.
It was also in 2022 that she revisited portraiture using the pencil. “I never really cared much for pencil art. But social media really influenced me and I wanted to try my hand at it again. Challenging myself with this, brought me great pride. It left me in awe, seeing I am not too bad at it, even though I am not where I want to be. But one thing, I will assure you, is that the pencil art is definitely coming along.”
These days, she considers herself a representational artist, dabbling in different artistic styles. “I do not have any favourite pieces, because so many of them are special to me. They tend to encapsulate my unique artistic voice at the particular time they were created. The stories they hold behind their creation is why they will stand out for me,” Rowe shared.
Rowe’s main challenge in the industry has been financial stability. By cultivating strength, dedication, and resilience, she embraces constructive feedback and maintains creative momentum through consistent practice.
“I always seek inspiration, connect with other artists and also make clear realistic goals. And my focus now is on the money to be made there. My family and friends have been supportive beyond belief. Some have done so by sponsoring me with art equipment, referring me to potential buyers, sharing and reposting my art on social media platforms, attending my art exhibitions and also by purchasing some of my art works.”
Acknowledging that there is the fear of going back to a nine to five in the back of her mind, Rowe remains focused and motivated in pushing and improving her craft. “I would love to achieve artistic excellence, recognition and financial stability.”
If you have the urge to create and a strong passion for art, Rowe encourages you to follow your heart and do what you love.
“Create art as often as possible or as desired, and define your goals. It is a tough business, but do not follow the market. It is a marathon, not a sprint. Showing up and being your authentic self without impediments and carving your own unique path in this great wide world of art, is worth exploring. I believe in living a life with little to no regrets. I implore others to do the same if they can.”