Kristin Link is a fine artist and science illustrator inspired by the natural world. Her drawings, paintings, and mixed media works connect people to nature while inspiring curiosity and learning.
You can encounter Kristin’s work on interpretive signs on the side of the Glenn Highway, inside National Park visitor centers, inside schools, and in books and magazines that teach about Alaskan natural history. Kristin has exhibited her field sketches and fine art at the Alaska State Museum as well as other locations around the state and she has received grants from the Rasmuson Foundation and the Alaska State Council on the Arts. Kristin has always been inspired by spending time in the backcountry. In the past, she has worked as a backcountry guide, caretaker, and trail maintainer.
Kristin received a graduate certificate in science illustration from California State University Monterey Bay and a BA in Conservation Biology and Studio Art from Middlebury College. She was born in Brussels, Belgium, and grew up in the more urban areas near New York City and London, but now lives in an off-the-grid cabin near McCarthy, Alaska on the edge of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, which is Ahtna Athabaskan land.
Clients include:
Ahtna Heritage Foundation, Alaska Geographic, Alaska Regional National Park Service, Association of Alaska School Boards, Columbia University, Chugach National Forest, Colorado State University, Copper River Record, Copper River Watershed Project, Earth Island Journal, Edible Alaska Magazine, Island Press, Keys to Life, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Mesa Verde National Park, Overstory Consulting, Partnow Consulting, Prince William Sound Science Center, Porphyry Press, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Woodwell Climate Research Center, Wonder U.
Kristin's work is inspired by place. Spending time in the backcountry (in Alaska and beyond) and making artwork in the field are important to her practice. Above photos: Artist in residence with Gates of the Arctic National Park (photo by Richard Kahn); Teaching field sketching on the edge of the Juneau Icefield (photo by Kristin Link); Sketching on the Grand Canyon (photo by Greg Runyan); Inside a sketchbook on the Noatak River (photo by Richard Kahn).
Press and Other Sources:
“Artist Profile” newspaper article in the Copper River Record, 2022
“Connecting with Place” podcast interview with Bethan Burton for the Journaling with Nature podcast, 2021
“With Visiting Artist at Their Side, Nome Students Paint Mural Inspired by Their Hometown” article with KNOM about Artist in Schools Residency with Anvil City Science Academy, 2019
“Nature Up Close” podcast interview about being a science illustrator and doing artist residencies on public lands with She Explores, 2018
My Alaska Forests blog post about residency with the Voices of the Wilderness Program, 2017
Seward City News Article about public artwork commission for AVTEC dorm, 2015
Cordova Times Article about Solo Show, 2012
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