Hey I'm Krista

Well hello friends.

Welcome to my artsy and scaly world. I’m Krista: an artist & designer that loves color, typography, and animals.

Krista was born and raised in Michigan and proudly points to Detroit on her hand whenever someone asks where’s she’s from. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Michigan and boasts more than eight years of experience in the digital design field as an art director, where she has focused on creating brand identities and designing websites. In her role as an art director, she has partnered with various notable brands, such as Boxed Water, Steelcase, Ford, and Brembo.

The boring credentials.

Upon scrolling through Krista's Instagram feed, one can discover her remarkable makeup illusion creations. Driven by a longstanding desire to achieve the ultimate Halloween costume, she made the decision in 2019 to paint her face. Given her passion for reptiles, the moniker Krista Kameleon was a fitting choice. Over the subsequent four years, she continually challenged herself in the realm of makeup illusion, which opened the door to extraordinary opportunities. In 2020, she participated in and triumphed in Snapchat’s original competition show, Fake Up, designed for makeup illusion artists. Additionally, in 2023, she earned recognition as a top-50 finalist in ArtPrize in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she transformed herself into a living work of art.

Where did the name Krista Kameleon come from?

Why paint reptiles?

Krista's journey into the world of reptiles began at the age of 16 when her older brother presented her with her first leopard gecko. This pivotal moment transformed her life entirely. She became captivated by reptiles, finding joy not only in their beauty but also in the experience of nurturing them. Throughout her journey, she has looked after two leopard geckos, a bearded dragon, and a panther chameleon. Currently, her collection includes two snakes: a lavender ball python and a Mexican black king snake.

What she’s up to now.

Currently, Krista is a full-time artist, passionately pursuing her dream of spreading color and happiness through her creative expressions. With her paintbrush, she aspires to inspire others to live their lives to the fullest.

In her home life, Krista has two high-energy, snuggly rescue dogs, Zoey and Deebo, whom she regards as her children. A sports lover, she leads an active lifestyle, frequently engaging in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, volleyball, running, or visiting the bowling alley. Krista believes in maintaining a balance between serenity and activity, and during her moments of calm, she enjoys sipping a hot cup of tea while immersed in a good book on her front porch.

@kristakameleon