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I am a brown girl who turned my challenges into a celebration of life, strength, and beauty through art. My journey began when I was diagnosed with bipolar II and borderline personality disorder—labels that, at first, felt overwhelming. But instead of letting them define me, I sought out a way to rise above, and that path led me to watercolor. With each brushstroke, I learned to celebrate my wins—small victories that helped me move forward. It was more than just painting; it became a way of healing, self-expression, and honoring who I am. I developed a line of home goods and giftware that is more than just products. They are stories of brown girls like me, with brown eyes, natural hair, and powerful spirits. I created these pieces for my tribe, the women who have been told they don’t fit into the mainstream mold. I wanted to celebrate the awesomeness of Black women—our essence, our beauty, our resilience. Through my brand, The Curly Contessa, I weave together art and self-love. From drinkware and kitchenware to holiday gift wrap, each piece reflects a positive self-image, creating serene surroundings where we can see ourselves and be proud. My art is a reminder that we are strong, we are beautiful, and we are worthy of celebration, every day.Below you'll see that I've created everything from fashion accessories to holiday gift wrap.Press Links:<ul><li><a href="https://seejanewritebham.com/2020/11/curly-contessa/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-link-auto="" target="_blank">https://seejanewritebham.com/2020/11/curly-contessa/</a></li><li><a href="https://voyageatl.com/interview/meet-kristin-farmer-curly-contessa-birmingham-al/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-link-auto="" target="_blank">https://voyageatl.com/interview/meet-kristin-farmer-curly-contessa-birmingham-al/</a></li><li><a href="https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2020/01/business-comes-naturally-for-kristin-farmer-of-curly-contessa/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-link-auto="" target="_blank">https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2020/01/business-comes-naturally-for-kristin-farmer-of-curly-contessa/</a></li><li><a href="https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2018/11/kristin-farmer-expanding-business-to-become-one-stop-gift-shop-for-women/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-link-auto="" target="_blank">https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2018/11/kristin-farmer-expanding-business-to-become-one-stop-gift-shop-for-women/</a></li><li><a href="https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2017/11/holiday-wrapping-paper-embraces-girls-with-curls/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-link-auto="" target="_blank">https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2017/11/holiday-wrapping-paper-embraces-girls-with-curls/</a></li></ul>

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Ladies in Full Bloom is a watercolor portrait collection that celebrates Black women by portraying them enveloped in intricate floral arrangements. Each piece will reflect the multifaceted nature of Black women—their beauty, strength, and resilience—through a lens of whimsy and fantasy. The goal is to inspire viewers, particularly Black women, to see themselves in a space of joy and possibility, free from societal scrutiny. This project also serves as a personal challenge. During a 30-day creative sprint, I will complete eight expressive watercolor portraits. While I am familiar with capturing the female form through figurative art, this sprint will help me refine my portraiture skills, specifically focusing on facial structure and proportions, using a stylized brushstroke. The floral elements will act as both a symbolic and artistic device, representing growth and resilience. To complete this, I will draw inspiration from both traditional portraiture and the whimsical, metaphorical use of nature in art. I will explore various color palettes and experiment with layering techniques to push my skill set further. Collaborating with Black Women’s Mental Health Institute and Fine Art Find Life, the final pieces will be auctioned, with proceeds benefiting these two organizations. This will allow the art to create a tangible social impact while fostering a greater sense of community support.

Curly Contessa - Imagination Fund Proposal

What is your project idea and how will it help you achieve that? Ladies in Full Bloom is a watercolor portrait collection that celebrates Black women by portraying them enveloped in intricate floral arrangements. Each piece will reflect the multifaceted nature of Black women—their beauty, strength, and resilience—through a lens of whimsy and fantasy. The goal is to inspire viewers, particularly Black women, to see themselves in a space of joy and possibility, free from societal scrutiny. This project also serves as a personal challenge. During a 30-day creative sprint, I will complete eight expressive watercolor portraits. While I am familiar with capturing the female form through figurative art, this sprint will help me refine my portraiture skills, specifically focusing on facial structure and proportions, using a stylized brushstroke. The floral elements will act as both a symbolic and artistic device, representing growth and resilience. To complete this, I will draw inspiration from both traditional portraiture and the whimsical, metaphorical use of nature in art. I will explore various color palettes and experiment with layering techniques to push my skill set further. Collaborating with Black Women’s Mental Health Institute and Fine Art Find Life, the final pieces will be auctioned, with proceeds benefiting these two organizations. This will allow the art to create a tangible social impact while fostering a greater sense of community support. What mediums will you use, how will you learn new skills, and what inspirations will you draw on? The primary medium for this project will be watercolor paints, which provide the fluidity and softness needed to convey both human and floral elements. I will experiment with various brush techniques to enhance expressiveness in the portraits, emphasizing emotion and identity. To further refine my skills, I will study classical portrait techniques and stylized forms of expression. My inspirations come from both historical and contemporary portraiture, as well as from the organic patterns found in nature, allowing me to merge the human form with nature’s rhythms. The vibrant and dynamic use of color in artists such as Katie Rogers and the rich cultural narrative of Kara Walker will serve as foundational inspirations. What kind of impact do you hope your project will have? I hope Ladies in Full Bloom will have a profound artistic and social impact. Artistically, this project will challenge both myself and the viewers to reimagine the Black female form in a space that celebrates joy, resilience, and possibility. I hope to spark conversations around the diversity and complexity of Black womanhood, showing that we are dynamic and deserve to see ourselves in roles that break traditional boundaries. Socially and communally, the collaboration with Black Women’s Mental Health Institute and Fine Art Find Life will ensure that the artwork uplifts Black women and gives back in tangible ways, supporting mental health and fostering creativity. I envision this project creating a ripple effect, inspiring others in the community to explore the intersection of art, identity, and social change. How do you want to grow as a designer, artist, and maker? How can the Inspiration Fund help you grow? As an artist, I want to push the boundaries of my current skill set, especially when it comes to portraiture. Learning to capture expressive faces and the nuanced details of emotion is a personal challenge I am ready to take on. The Inspiration Fund will provide me with the resources and time to hone these skills and allow me to create with more intention and depth. I also hope to grow as a designer by exploring new compositional techniques that blend the human form with abstract, natural elements, creating a unique signature style. The grant will help me take on larger, more complex projects and give me the confidence to experiment with new ideas. Additionally, it will enable me to strengthen my ties to the community through the charity auction, bridging my art with causes that are deeply meaningful to me.