"Phoenix" 12 x 12 Acrylic on Canvas
© 2015 Kristine Izak
Me and my Dance Dreams...
Not sure at what age I started dancing - but I think every child dances naturally. I can't remember picking up my first pencil or crayon either, but I'm sure every child is excited to make their first mark! I was fortunate to have encouraging parents. Every step and every mark were works of art in their eyes. How can a child not thrive with such positive encouragement?!
I studied ballet, modern, and Ukrainian character dance my whole childhood, dancing and performing through my early adult years with the Voloshky Ukrainian Dance Ensemble in Philadelphia, and Syzokryli Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of NYC.
I graduated from DeSales University with my dance degree and started teaching soon after in studios in the suburbs of Philadelphia. At that time, I also started working towards my Associates Degree in Graphic Design and Illustration at Bucks County Community College. I had taken every art related class I could at DeSales, including costume and scene design, and at that point was starving for more! The desktop publishing classes at BCCC gave me a jumpstart into the graphic design business - brochures, t-shirts, programs etc....
Not until my first mural - for my niece Meghan, did I get out the brushes again and start to work on my painting dreams. That first mural led to a large commission at Friend's Hospital, Philadelphia - and soon after, my mural business, "Dancing Line Murals" was born...
When my mural painting, teaching and choreography aren't keeping me busy, I work on "MY canvases" as I call them. Many of these have become the pages in my coloring book and are the truest expression of my heart. I sell a few, but more often than not, I can't bear to part with the original, so I sell prints. You can see more of my art at...
There you can link to my shop to buy prints and merchandise. I do work on commission as well, so contact me if you are interested in a painting for a special dancing spirit in your life, or for yourself!
For over 30 years I have been teaching modern, ballet, lyrical, jazz and Ukrainian character dance. Until the last few years, my dance paintings had not been shown publicly. I am excited to send this coloring book into the world - a fusion of these creative passions. My mantra has been "art for everyday". It's my hope that my designs will resonate with kindred spirits and offer hours of relaxing fun.
Thank you, and please visit again soon!
- Kristine