This week in Faces of Kingston we get to know artist, nurse practitioner and nature enthusiast Dina Kravtsov. Her unique perspectives, talent, energy and empathy add to the nicer, healthiest energy side of our community.
Morgan Y. Evans: How are you today? How long have you been a part of the Kingston community in some capacity and what is your earliest memory of the city?Â
Dina Kravtsov: I’m doing well, thanks! I moved to Kingston April 1st of 2016. I had just landed my dream job working as a RN in Labor and Delivery at Kingston Hospital. I was moving from Poughkeepsie to a cozy home on the Rondout and can recall feeling so excited to move to a bustling small city that also has a beach!Â
You are a talented visual artist. I love your use of color as well as nature and social consciousness themes. What at this time in life or America or whatever is inspiring your work? I first saw a sort of shamanic Bernie piece you did that a friend shared that was pretty wild. (FYI: It is now visible at outdated café.)
Thanks so much. I’m glad you saw it that way! I’ve been pretty focused on painting various expressions of nature for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been deeply inspired by the mysteries of our universe and by the ancient wisdom of plant medicine and so my paintings are often a reflection of my inquiries and curiosities.
After traveling to Mexico City last summer, I came home profoundly inspired by all of the beautiful and powerful art as activism. I knew I had to step it up in my own work and focus some of my attention on using my art as a vehicle for advocacy. The particular painting you mentioned came about from feeling like I needed to act. Things are getting really heated right now and I wanted to come back to the heart of what matters most to me. I believe Bernie Sanders as president will give us the best chance at creating the world we want to live in. We have to remember where it is that we come from and where we go when we die. We come from the earth and we need to remember she is our original mother.Â
It’s interesting how you are able to straddle illustration and a sort of wonder for the universe and living, growing things even in some of your logo work which I assume was more commercial. Do you try to take on jobs close to your values? Also, do you prefer small or larger pieces?
I am fortunate to now be working in multiple capacities that feel very much in line with my values. Through my artwork, I have been able to paint logos for bakers, herbalists, makers of all kinds, art for grandmothers, and beyond. I love being approached with challenging and weird ideas because it pushes me to get creative and try funky things.Â
My 9 to 5 is working as a nurse practitioner in primary care at a small office in Kingston and per diem for Hudson Valley Hospice. I am very passionate about being able to practice medicine in a comprehensive and holistic way and feel grateful to have found work being able to do just that!
In terms of size, I love making art of all shapes and sizes. My biggest piece yet exists in the heart of Midtown on the new Radio Kingston building that my partner and I painted for the O+ festival!
What is your favorite place in Kingston to relax and why?Â
I’d have to say for ultimate leisure, taking a trip to Lake Onteora is wonderful. In my neighborhood, I really enjoy just hanging out on my porch and people/bird watching.
What is a challenge facing our community that you think needs to be figured out? I have been sad about all the shootings lately rising in number. Humans need more compassion.Â
I feel the same way. I cycle between sadness, anger and empowerment in some fashion every time there has been an eruption of violence in our neighborhood. I do know there is powerful work being done around the roots of injustice, racism, classism and gender oppression that perpetuate violence and poverty in our community. I think showing compassion to strangers and uplifting one another can go unpredictably far in helping to heal Kingston. I love this city and I think we can do better when it comes to taking care of one another. Â
Do you have a lot of family and friends in the area or are you more of a loner?Â
Oh man, I would say a mix of both, mostly depending on the season cycle. I am so lucky to have some amazing friends from college (and a few from elementary school!) living within a few blocks of me. However, one of the things I most love about our city is that it feels like you can pretty much make a new friend just leaving your house sometimes.
What are you looking forward to about spring 2020 in our area?
I’m looking forward to riding my bicycle in a tee. I’m excited to plant seeds and tend to my garden again. I’m excited to see the streets bloom with people hanging out on their stoops, and watch the trees start to blossom! Spring always has that refreshing smell of rebirth, you know that kind of sweet, misty soil smell? Mmm …
Join the family! 
