Kristin Helberg is a self-taught artist. "I actually went
to school to learn journalism and for many years my writing
supported my painting. Finally I decided that my paintbrush
could tell better stories than my typewriter and I began
placing my art work in galleries", Kristin said. She also
does painted furniture and learned vinegar-graining, an
early American technique from an artist friend. Her painted
chests and accessories have appeared in three issues of
Country Living magazine and have sold at the Museum of
American Folk Art gift shop in New York. Her work is
included in private collections in America, Europe and Japan
including the Folk Artists Museum and the Clinton
Presidential Library. She was one of three American artists
chosen to represent the United States in the 23rd
International Naive Art Competition in Switzerland in 1994.
Part of the artist-in residency program with the Maryland
State Arts Council, Kristin has created 60 permanent murals
in public schools working with school children throughout
Maryland. She has also taught classes from the Resident
Associates Program at the Smithsonian Institution. When she
is not painting or looking for old chests and boxes to
decorate, she can often be found ballroom dancing or playing
music.
