Kristi Gilfillan

Kristi’s love of art began as a young girl sneaking into her mother and grandmother’s art classes. She still paints alongside her mother, Joan Spillman each week. Kristi graduated from Bucknell University with majors in Studio Art and Mathematics. Continuing on to earn a M.S. in Interior Design from Drexel University, she focused her creative eye on the three-dimensional design of interior spaces. After many years of working full-time as an Interior Designer, she began consulting to have more time to get back to painting.

Kristi began studying oil painting fourteen years ago under Elise Phillips and has gained incredible inspiration from her over the years. Over the past eight years she has gotten involved in Plein Air painting events and competitions. Much of her inspiration both plein air and in the studio is drawn from touring the Chester County countryside, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. She has recently started doing a lot of commission work, painting dogs, horses, homes, and favorite vacation locations for clients. These pieces are very special and meaningful.

Kristi is currently the Chair of The Artists Circle Fine Art Group, a group of 20 local female artists, and a member of MAPAPA (Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Assoc.). She likes to support local non-profits by donating her artwork to Thorncroft Equestrian Center, People’s Light Theatre, and Healing Art Works. Kristi also shows her work at Gallery 222, Malvern; Maureen’s Gallery, Exton; Yellow Springs Art Show; The Artists Circle Art Show, Devon; and at her private studio.