Check Out Kristine Urban’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristine Urban.

Hi Kristine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have always been an artist at life, even when I was in sales and marketing jobs that weren’t based around creativity. But it took me a while to listen to my heart and admit to myself that I needed to be an artist full-time.

After I graduated from Kansas State University in the ’90s with a Bachelor’s in Clothing and Textiles (I had been sewing from 2nd grade, so a career in buying and marketing, seemed to be the best choice), I felt compelled to work in the fashion industry. But using early computer programs, along with accounting and just the experience of knowing what was selling, what was trending, etc. (nowadays algorithms help with all of that “knowing” what to buy), was not my best skill. So jobs were not that exciting to me, and I didn’t feel like I could ever be happy in that career as a buyer.

So I switched gears, literally, and worked and raced mountain bikes for a bicycle manufacturer in Southern California. This was fun, and the sales were easy, but again I needed to be more creative. I also went back to school for interior design because designing spaces seemed to really spark my interest as a creator. After I left the bicycle company, I worked as a designer with a big tile company, designing homes, kitchens and baths, which I loved, but a relocation made me leave that career.

I met a bright young woman who took me on as a partner with her interior design business. We built a fairly successful business in San Diego, but the long hard hours, cranky clients, finicky timelines, and controlling people in the industry had me questioning my creative career once more.

After some financial changes in the company had me back to figuring out what to do, I became attracted to doing music (my first love). I became an electronic music DJ at 38! I never told anyone how old I was because to me, I seemed so old in this industry of young, thriving music people. But, I loved performing and could creatively blend my favorite music, and an inspiring performance always shined through me when I mixed and danced on stage. This is about the time I finally realized that I needed to be an artist full-time, but I needed to make sure I could be sustainable.

I happened to be living with my boyfriend, Mike in his condo, and we decided that we weren’t going to pay the mortgage anymore. I wouldn’t recommend doing this, but it worked in our situation and at the time with skyrocketing mortgage rates. We realized the consequences and decided to see how long we could stay without being forced out. This was probably one of the biggest risks of my life, but I was prepared to become homeless at any time and live out of my car if it meant I could continue being the artist I was born to be. We did this for over two years and also cultivated a successful bass music scene in San Diego where we danced, expressed our creative spirit, and built a community of striving artists, many who have gone on to become successful artists in the electronic music scene.

The universe works in mysterious ways, and right before eviction, we were able to procure a 31-foot vintage Airstream travel trailer that was a fixer-upper that we could eventually live in. Together, Mike and I are very hard workers, and we took some gigs that allowed us to make some money to buy a vehicle that would tow the silver beast that I named “Wilma”. We fixed it up to living standards while staying on my parent’s homestead in Kansas for seven enduring months, then drove it through Colorado where we bounced around and learned how to find minerals and crystals in the earth.

We eventually came back to land our new home in Southern California on a lakefront property, where our rent was surprisingly affordable, but we had no electricity or water on site. We enjoyed our off-grid life, supported by family and occasional gigs, and really learned how to be frugal, sustainable and lower our carbon footprint at the same time. I was also on the verge of learning a new art form, the art I do now, Electroforming. The alchemy of my life was occurring, and I was transforming into my heart-centered art life. And I needed an outlet to make things with all of the crystals we were collecting.

A few years later, a mineral prospecting trip with our little ‘65 vintage trailer that I named “Lula”, found us romping around Colorado once more. We were in love with the mountains, the minerals and the music, so we made another big decision to move here. Mike’s parents followed too. We all live together in Colorado Springs and share rent, which I highly recommend if you are trying to save money and follow your heart. Mike’s mom is also a lifetime artist and children’s book author, so we bounce all kinds of ideas around. It is wonderful to have other artists in your life that inspire and offer ideas to keep you flowing. After all, she had a thriving art business with over 30 personal galleries around the world (Sally Huss).

I am grateful for all of my experiences that have helped me get where I am today. And grateful for family and friends that have supported my crazy endeavors. I learned to trust the process and the learning experience, even though some days I really questioned my sanity and my health.

I picked up learning yoga, meditation and mindfulness techniques along with studying eastern philosophies, esotericism, alchemy, herbalism, permaculture, and manifesting, and learned that a holistic life as an artist aligned just right. I also became sober after struggling with alcoholism for most of my life, and a spiritual connection was nourished. Living in nature seemed to change my perspective that I didn’t necessarily need to make art to be famous or make money (a release of the ego), but rather to mindfully create, with heart-centered energy, love and light, and being wholesome and healthy, and doors would soon open to sustainability in my life.

I now run an online yoga business (after completing my teacher certification during 2020 and all of the lockdowns and after realizing a niche for those that don’t want to venture off to a studio). I pass along natural knowledge and healing techniques that helped me personally in so many ways. My electroforming art is an enjoyable passion and a bit of alchemy, both spiritually and artistically. I have two Etsy stores and my website as outlets to sell, but doing in-person shows, especially festivals (where I can DJ as well) are my favorite ways to sling my art and self-collected minerals and magic.

As of the beginning of 2022, I was inspired to add a few of my other skills to my yoga business. As a former interior designer, I can help others organize their spaces, and I do design consulting and appraisals too. I hope to follow a path as a life coach. I am drawn to helping others creatively optimize their life. And I am a Reiki and energy healer too which is always infused into everything I work with.

I get asked how I am able to balance all of the creative things I do, and it just happens, and I give myself grace when it doesn’t. And I would never have it any other way. With daily meditation practice and mindful movement, I am able to see and feel what gives me purpose and a connection to my higher self. It doesn’t come from external sources, it comes from within. This guidance supports my every move, risk, and creative endeavor. It’s an infinite spiritual soul journey, living in this temporary existence. And I am so grateful for finding this artistic experience in this lifetime. My life mantra is Live Life Creatively! I hope that my art journey inspires others and they find what makes their heart sing!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life is full of ebb and flows and the ability to solve problems is something I strive to do. From a lack of customers to a lack of students to teach yoga to, to lack of straight-up-funds, I am always looking for creative ways to solve these challenges. I wear all of the hats in my businesses…these days you can learn anything from the internet and a quick google search. From social networking and promotion of my businesses to meeting with clients to find out their needs, doing my own bookkeeping, to hitting the “streets” to promote and find new customers…As a business owner, one has to face the challenges of slow times, and during those times, be smart with how you spend, diversify your product, what is trending, and how you market your products. And if I need something, I usually make it! During slow times, I sometimes retreat and work on inner stuff too. I work with astrology and have learned to expect what might be incoming and find ways to work around the challenges–that most businesses face. And sometimes, I just know that it is slow, and I am ok with that too. I creatively problem solve and like to be in the flow state, not just with the businesses I operate but also in my personal life. Live Life Creatively!

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?
As a creative, I work with metals and copper mostly. I am an electroforming artist, which means that I utilize mediums such as crystals, organic things such as plants and bones, and also polymer clay. I “form” copper around them to create art as jewelry and home decor. It is a little bit crafty and mostly a science experiment. My studio looks like a science lab with beakers, glass jars, a magnetic stirrer, and a rectifier which gives me amps and volts to connect to a copper anode and cathode in a bath of copper sulfate solution. This isn’t a new art form, but it has recently become popular as an alternative to traditional metalsmithing, but the art and jewelry that can be created by this means is exceptionally endless and creative! I love to collect earthly items that I can use, whenever I am on a hike, I am always looking around to see what I can find to incorporate into my art. Skulls, bones, old glass, dried flowers, and of course, minerals are my favorites. Create to create!

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I am a part of at least three Facebook groups that specialize in electroforming. These groups are great for sharing creations and getting inspired. And since there are always a lot of problems with the plating process, many in the groups are glad to discuss and help solve the challenges that come with this “science experiment” art form.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alulayogaapothecary.com/
• Instagram: Instagram.com/kristineurbnlgnd
• Facebook: Facebook.com/urbnlgndbass
• SoundCloud: SoundCloud.com/urbnlgnd
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/alulaapothecary