Meet the artist

Krista Skehan is a multifaceted creative professional bridging art, design, and entrepreneurship. She brings over two decades of professional design expertise to her artistic practice, transforming intangible energy into tangible expressions.

Krista is a light reflector – creating art that sparks inner conversations and unveils hidden magic in life’s smallest moments. Currently living in Hawaii, her creative process channels the energy of the island, culture and nature, embracing childlike wonder and ancestral connections.

“I aim to reflect the light of humanity back to the human.”

Her art invites viewers into a space of curiosity, connection and vibrant inner exploration. Through photography, poetry, healing modalities, and nature, she gains access to her inner voice to then expresses these profound insights through diverse mediums—oil, acrylic, mixed media, wood, and traditional Kapa making—transforming sensory experiences into powerful visual narratives.

Exhibited in private collections across California and Hawaii, her artwork continues to inspire and ignite conversations. Living in Waimea with her family, Krista brings a unique blend of creative mastermind and spiritual curiosity to her work.

 The Facts

  • Traveling from California to Indiana for college was a big deal back in 1997. She was the only she knew in 4 years of college that was from California. IU was known for their Individualized Major program — it was rare to have this type of program at that time. This option allowed Krista access to learn from not only the School of Art & Design but also the Kelley School of Business, Journalism and Communication departments. Krista pledged Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and learned a great deal about psychology in doing so. ; )

  • Krista got a job after graduation at this medical advertising firm in downtown Chicago working on the account side. It didn’t take her long to realize the job was just a foot in the door to move to the creative side of the business. She climbed the ladder to become an Art Director. While working in the advertising world she realized as a designer she wanted client interaction. It became important for her to have direct communication in order to create designs that would resonate. She left this job to start her own business in 2005.

  • In 2004, Krista embarked on the journey of creating Personify. Her inspiration for the venture came after her experience in a large advertising agency, where she witnessed the flaws in the existing communication systems. Krista yearned to establish a design studio free from bureaucracy, patriarchy, hierarchy, and competition-driven decision-making. Personify emerged from a belief that it's possible to inject vitality into a company, forging deeper and more meaningful connections that tap into the ethereal.

    Over the course of more than two decades, Krista and her team collaborated with business owners, playing a pivotal role in shaping brands, crafting compelling visuals, and designing websites that acted as bridges for fostering connections. However, the true magic of the years are her ability to infuse creativity into stagnant behaviors. Krista delved deep into the souls of entrepreneurs, unearthing their unique essence and expressing it outwardly for the world to behold. This essence, this power to Personify, is her core strength. When connections are Personified, they transcend, coming to life, radiating enthusiasm, fueling growth, and irresistibly attracting others like a magnet.

    After 20 years, she and her husband Dan decided to close the story to the Personify business. Krista says she carries with her the most precious lessons and a core language to express the unseen. She continues to nurture these seeds as she cultivate new artistic landscapes in her artwork.

  • Krista has never really put down her paint brush but it wasn’t until 2017 when she decided to to host an art show in a friends empty house. She showcased 32 pieces of art throughout a California ranch style home and in 2 hours sold 60% of her work. It was then the seed was planted that maybe “starving artist” was a made up fear someone else planted in her head. Her brush became her guide much more after moving to Hawaii in 2020. About 70% of what Krista paints is on commission, the rest is her play, her freedom of expression. She is building for her next art show. Stay tuned.