Rising Stars: Meet Krista Kameleon of Detroit

Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Kameleon

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Krista and I am a mural artist, designer, makeup illusion artist, and reptile artist. I took the leap to become a full time artist on August 1, 2024 but my artist journey began in college. I went to the Art Institute of Michigan-Troy and graduated with my Bachelor’s in fine art – graphic design. I got my first job out of college at a digital design agency designing websites. I did this for 8 years, but during that time something felt off. I wasn’t completely happy and I wasn’t sure what it was. I was doing what I always thought I wanted to do. Got myself a big girl job in a creative industry creating really cool branding and websites, but for some reason I wasn’t fulfilled.

In 2019, I decided to buy some face paint and I start painting my face weekly and posting it to social media. This began my hobby in makeup illusion. I loved how I was able to transform myself into whatever I deemed possible and I also loved the reaction it would get from people. This dip into creating art on myself rather than on a screen made my day job more bearable. Makeup artistry has taken me to some amazing places and I’ve met some incredible people along the way. In 2020, I competed on “Fakeup” on Snapchat, a makeup illusion competition show (and psstttt…. I WON!). I also got the opportunity to work with NYX Cosmetics in 2021. In 2023, I entered myself as living art in Grand Rapid’s annual art competition, Art Prize, painting myself in public as my creative interpretation of my soul. I ended up being a top 50 finalist!

After Art Prize, in October 2023, I went through an extremely difficult heartbreak and got a staff infection that landed me in emergency surgery all at the same time. My mental and physical health were the lowest they had ever been. This difficult time made me reflect deeply on what I wanted in my life and how I wanted to live it. My goal was to quit my job and bring joy and inspiration to people through my art. I wrote this down along with other goals on sticky notes and put them on my bathroom mirror as a daily reminder of what I was working towards.

In August 2024, I peeled the sticky notes down and cried happy tears. Proud tears. I celebrated myself and the hard work I’ve put in to get myself to this point. To quit a steady income and enter into the unknown world of self employment is scary, but I felt so liberated and it felt so right. I am now living the life I dreamed of. I get to make art for the world to see on both small, large, and even human canvases. And the best part is knowing that my work brings a smile to faces around the world.

I was born to be an artist and to inspire others. I feel it to the core of my very being. I’ve only been a full time artist for a few months and yet there has been so much positive movement already. I can’t wait to see what else is in store for me.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think any self employment path is ever smooth. Some smoother than others and I think I have been blessed so far but I’ve definitely had my fair share of low tides. One being my breakup and staff infection in October 2023 that made me make the decision to change my life and take the steps to be a full time artist. Considering I’ve only been self employed for just over 3 months I’m still new in this way of life. I’m always worried how I’m going to make money, when I’m going to book a new mural, etc. Not having a steady income in stressful when I’ve been used to and relied on it for all of my adult life. I’m figuring it out one day at a time and I know that when I do book a good project I truly feel I’ve earned it.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a mural artist, designer, makeup illusion artist, and reptile artist. My work is typically colorful, bold, and dynamic. I consider myself an artist with a designer’s eye. With a background in graphic design, I love typography, branding, and digital design. I like to experiment with hand lettering and you can see that in some of my work and murals. I love movement, balance, and the color orange. Orange is my trademark color and I try to incorporate it into all of my work if I can. With a love for reptiles, much of my work is catered to those scaly friends of mine which I find isn’t very common. There are few well known reptile artists, so I’m trying to fill in that gap with my unique designer style. I’ve just entered the world or murals and reptile art, so people should start seeing my work more around metro-Detroit soon!

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
They can send me an email hello@kristakameleon.com or fill out the contact form onto my website, kristakameleon.com. I also have art and other merchandise available on my online shop. You can follow me on social media: @kristakameleon on Snapchat (my social media of choice), IG, TikTok, and facebook.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Kristakameleon.com
• Instagram: @kristakameleon
• Facebook: @kristakameleon
• Youtube: @kristakameleon
• Other: Snapchat: @kristakameleon