Kristen Guest

I paint sunshine. My work lives somewhere between Southern California and the islands — where surf culture meets modern design. No matter the medium, I’m chasing the same thing: that instant lift in your chest when the colors hit you just right.

I enjoy pulling inspiration from my home in Southern California and my family’s roots in Hawaii to combine it with my love for Mid-Century Modernism and minimal design.

My work features bold shapes, vibrant color, and playful compositions to reflect the essence of the places I love — giving homage to artists like Henri Matisse with my shapes, Mark Rothko with my emotion-evoking colors and layering translucent colors, Josef Albers out of my love for color, and Wayne Thiebaud through my use of small pops of color and accenting my edges.

Each series I complete is done with one of these themes in mind: Citrus, Blooms, Tropical Waters, and California Style interiors. Colors, patterns, motifs, and shapes that come together to reflect the essence of the places I love. Since I mainly work in two mediums, acrylic and oil/cold wax, I will rotate which one I'd like to use for a series.

My acrylic paintings have a sense of luminosity when experienced in-person, created from multiple sheer layers o...

M.F.A. in Media Design (coursework)
Full Sail University
Aug 2016 - Jan 2017

B.S. in Art Education
Middle Tennessee State University
Aug 2000 - May 2007

Solo Exhibitions

2026

"Local Summer"
Sandstone Gallery
Laguna Beach, CA

"Poolside"
Liza Pruitt
Online

"Cocktails + Cabanas: California Edition"
Janssen Artspace
Palm Springs, CA

2025

"Making an Entrance: The Iconic Doors of Palm Springs"
Ashton Gallery
San Diego, CA


2024

"Cocktails & Cabanas"
Sandstone Contemporary Gallery
Laguna Beach, CA

"Palm Trees"
Ashton Gallery
San Diego, CA


2023

"The Golden Land"
Borrego Art Institute
Borrego Springs, CA


2021

Resident Artist Showcase
Bernardo Winery Tasting Room
San Diego, CA


2019

"Pedals for the People"
A Benefit for San Diego Bicycle Coalition
Ashton Gallery
San Diego, CA