While professionally a technical illustrator for the airline industry, Kristine Tague uses Kristine Draws as a creative outlet for organic paintings and digital art inspired by nature, motherhood, and children. Here she explores a freer, more organic artistic vision through paintings, photography, and digital art.
Kristine is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores florals, animals, landscapes, and whimsical, magical themes. She primarily paints in oils and watercolor, creating art en plein air to capture the spontaneity of nature. Kristine’s process often begins with playful doodles, research into natural patterns & processes, and her curiosity about science & industry and then connecting to it thru art.
Beyond the studio, Kristine is an avid hiker and photographer, frequently capturing scenes that inspire her painterly approach. A passionate amateur naturalist and native wildflower gardener, she enjoys sharing her knowledge of the natural world with children, fostering curiosity and connection.
Kristine lives in North Texas with her husband Nick, whom she met years ago in Chicago through a Catholic softball league. Together, they are raising two boys along with their two rescue dogs. Her diverse interests and life experiences deeply inform her vibrant and thoughtful artwork.
The Journey So far….
Kristine’s creative spark and curiosity was clear from early childhood—whether drawing on apartment walls, sketching in the margins of notebooks, or making her own books and toys, she was always exploring new ways to bring her imagination to life. Learning, questioning, and creative problem solving paired with a very active imagination led to learning how to paint.
Her artistic path took shape at age ten, when she began oil painting lessons with her parents’ friend and regional oil painter Krystyna Sobolewski. Kristine fondly recalls her first class, drawing an apple after watching Krystyna demonstrate. Encouraged by her early success, she exhibited her work at the local library and entered competitions she could find through school. One of her proudest moments during middle school occurred when she received a Gold Key Award in the Scholastic Art Awards for an oil painting of a local gas fire reflected in the water. By her senior year of high school, Kristine had chosen to focus on art and design and was taking all advanced placement courses to build her understanding of art and art history.
She continued to develop her skills by studying fine arts at several Chicago-area institutions, including Columbia College Chicago, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Palette and Chisel Academy. Kristine graduated from Columbia College with a degree in Film, concentrating in Computer Animation. Post-graduation, she gained valuable experience working on independent films and building sets for theater productions, and working as a graphic designer and illustrator in several different industries.
Today, Kristine works full time as a technical illustrator and graphic designer for an airline, while continuing to paint and illustrate on nights and weekends. Balancing family life with her husband keeps her busy—but art always finds its way into her life.
SCBWI
Kristine joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) in 2013 while living in the Midwest. One of her first big leaps was attending the “Wild Wild Midwest” conference, where she met a bunch of kind, creative folks who shared her love for storytelling—with a good dose of silliness, science, and dinosaurs in hats. It was the first time she realized that art didn’t have to follow all the rules to be fun or meaningful, and that’s when she knew—she wanted to illustrate children’s books.
After moving to Texas, she started going to local SCBWI events and learning from the amazing authors and illustrators in the community. In 2016, she took on the role of North Texas Illustrator Coordinator—right in the middle of toddler-wrangling—and loved getting to support and connect with other creatives. She always encourages anyone curious about kids’ books to check out their local SCBWI chapter for inspiration, learning, and new friends.
Painting Outdoors – en plein air
Kristine loves getting outside with a sketchbook or paintbrush in hand, taking in the world and capturing it as it unfolds. There’s something special about painting on the spot—no filters, no do-overs—just quick strokes and bold marks to catch the light before it changes. She’s a member of the McKinney en Plein Air Society (MPAS) and loves the energy of painting with others. If you’ve never tried Urban Sketching or hiking out and painting in the outdoors, she totally recommends finding a local group—it’s a fun way to see how other artists tackle the same scene.
