Meet Kristine Zwick | Artist & Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristine Zwick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristine, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I didn’t set out to create a brand or business. Creating art was therapeutic for me. I found myself using art as a way to cope with my diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. I received so much positive feedback from my friends and followers on Instagram, where I was sharing my art, and that’s when I thought I might be able to turn this art hobby of mine into a business.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I’d always been a writer. Keeping a journal has helped me cope with tough times throughout my life. But when I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, words suddenly fell short. That’s when I decided to pick up some cheap art supplies and started painting.

It certainly wasn’t easy, and I wasn’t good right away, but because it was so therapeutic, I didn’t stop. I painted and drew every day, and six years later, I’m still going. Somewhere in those few years, I actually got good at it. It made me curious about other art forms.

I learned the art of surface design (the artwork you see on products) and started creating my own line of fashion accessories with designs I had drawn by hand. Now, I create artwork for products as my full time job and I just released my first clothing collection this year.

Curated Dry Goods is my experimental playground for my art, and being creative has boosted my mental health in countless ways. I’ll never give it up.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m from Central Florida, and most people would hit the big sites here when they visit – the theme parks, malls and outlets. But there’s so much more to discover.

If you came to visit, I’d take you to Craft & Common in Downtown Orlando for some coffee. Their Wild Child drink is a favorite of mine: espresso, rose and vanilla.

Then I’d take you to one of my favorite vintage stores, The Owl’s Attic. Not only do they have great vintage clothing, they also stock some of my favorite local jewelry brands, Carla Poma Jewelry and Gypset.

Then it’s off to lunch at Krungthep which is a modern take on Thai food. The sandwiches and tea are divine.

And finally, we’d end the day reading through old books at Maya Books & Music in Sanford.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To my husband, my friends, and my therapist. They’re they reason Curated Dry Goods is where it is today.

Website: curateddrygoods.co

Instagram: curateddrygoods