Artwork by a local artist will soon be displayed at the Statehouse, according to State Rep. Chuck Goodrich (R-Noblesville).
Kristina Poulsen of Noblesville was selected to have her artwork decorate the Statehouse as part of Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch’s and Indiana State Treasurer Kelly Mitchell’s annual Hoosier Women Artists initiative. This year, 44 pieces of art were chosen out of more than 200 entries.
“With March being Women’s History Month, I can’t think of a better time to come together to recognize the accomplishments of Hoosier women,” Goodrich said. “Kristina’s beautiful work should be a point of pride for our community.”
Poulsen and other artists were honored at a Statehouse ceremony on March 3 as a part of Women’s History Month. Poulsen’s piece, The Portrait, will be displayed in Secretary of State Holli Sullivan’s office.
Patience and ingenuity are an important part of Poulsen’s artistic process. According to Poulsen, she begins by using fluid acrylics in whatever colors speak to her for that particular painting. Next, she uses a variety of techniques to manipulate the image until she is satisfied with the way it looks. Poulsen then repeats this technique several times before using acrylic pens to add finer details before coating the canvas in resin. From start to finish, Poulsen said The Portrait took about 120 hours to complete.
“I start off not really knowing how my piece is going to turn out,” Poulsen said. “It’s sort of reverse painting. I develop it as I go and just see what happens. With this piece in particular, after starting with the fluid acrylics, I began to see the bust of a woman coming out like a portrait and I just went with it.”
This year marked Poulsen’s first time being named an awardee for the Hoosier Women Artists Exhibit.
“I am really excited to be here. I think it’s wonderful to be surrounded by such great artists,” Poulsen said. “I’m just so impressed with everyone’s pieces and it’s nice to be a part of that. I’m really appreciative of this opportunity.”