Krista Schumacher and her husband, Ben, moved to La Jolla from Niceville, Fla., less than a month ago, but the coastal hamlet’s thriving art scene and welcoming neighbors have already provided them with a warm welcome. Like most that pick up and move from the East Coast, the young artist did not formally know a soul in the entire county prior to their move. This was not happenstance, however, as the Florida native, a local celebrity in her own right, wanted to expand her professional and personal horizons. Currently working from her home studio in downtown La Jolla, the University of Florida graduate, who majored in religious studies, seemingly fell into her current role. “I learned how to paint with oil when I was 16 years old,” said Schumacher. “My mom took a painting class with a friend, and the teacher, astonished at her raw talent, asked her ‘where did you learn how to paint?’ to which my mom said ‘this is my first time.’”
Schumacher continued she always wanted to be “just like [her] mom” and quickly took to the form herself. Her mother, largely self-taught, became her first teacher.
She works “really large,” utilizing bold, bright colors. Since oil has a quick drying time, she often mixes her colors on the canvas, as opposed to a palette. When prompted on as the classification of said work, Schumacher likes to refer to it as “contemporary impressionism,” “I really enjoy painting animals and people,” says Schumacher. “Something I have been involved in as of late are commissioned works of people’s pets, which I really love doing. People are so close to their pets, they’re like their children. It’s truly rewarding to see people’s reactions to the pieces, for sometimes, they are of pets that have died.”
While currently enrolled in the graduate program at the University of Florida School of Art and Art History, Schumacher also takes on a great deal of commission work, creating pieces specifically for clients’ homes. Her works have a varying price point, due to sheer size, hours worked on, etc., but can range from $500 to $5,000.
“I work continuously,” said Schumacher. “Sometimes I’ll begin a painting at 6 a.m. and will finish it around the early evening, so for roughly 12 hours or more. I get so focused on what I’m doing, I often completely forget to eat.”
The 26-year-old was recently named in the “Top 21 Under 31: Young artists to collect now” by Southwest Art Magazine. She has qualified as a semi-finalist in Bombay Sapphire’s “Artisan Series,” competition. Also, her series “Beach Girls” is one of 100 artists in a current competition. The winner will be featured at Scope Miami, around Art Basel. Schumacher, in true millennial fashion, uses social media to her utmost advantage. “Things are different now, in that social media allows me to truly represent myself. It also acts as a catalyst for me to have a meaningful relationship with collectors across the country,” said Schumacher. “It’s just been so exciting to land in La Jolla. We’re so close to LA, downtown San Diego and, most importantly, the ocean. My husband and I are both water people, so we could not imagine a better place to be.”
For more information, and to see some of Schumacher’s work, visit www.kristaschumacherart.com.