S T O R Y T E L L E R T H R O U G H C O N T E M P O R A R Y A R T & D E S I G NKris Keys is an American visual artist and fashion designer whose art explores themes of memory, identity, lineage, and healing. She began painting as a child dealing with hereditary blood and used art as a form of relaxation and expression. She creates immersive moments where guests witness the slow unfolding of a painting while stories of fashion, travel, heritage, and nature emerge organically throughout the experience. Her work transforms painting into a contemplative performance, one that encourages presence, curiosity, and reflection. Drawing from her background in fashion illustration and textile design, Kris creates elegant, site-specific experiences for luxury brands, cultural institutions, hotels, gardens, and galleries, where art becomes a living expression of craftsmanship, beauty, and intentional living. She transforms personal and ancestral narratives, especially tied to her health and family memories into visually rich, emotionally resonant collections of art, tea, and fashion.
Painting a Marathon
We’re in week 9 of training fo ,my first marathon in December. This week, I decided to pay attention to the theme that I’ve been intuitively painting this entire year-paintings of women transforming. So many of us are going through a sharp shift and it’s hard yet beautiful. The art from this year is apart of this painting a marathon series. Everyday, after my runs I will share my morning ritual with you as well as the art available that day. You can view the available art below.
Wild Growth illustrates the stretching, growing, and surrendering it takes to become your best self. The journey is wild and messy like foliage, plants, and flowers growing in a garden. I went back to my childhood whilst completing this painting, pulling in mediums such as color pencil, acrylic, watercolor, and marker. While training for my first marathon, I’ve had to revisit the carefree attitude most of us have as a child. Willing to try new things, overcome fears, and just go for it.
Size: 24 × 48”
Medium: Watercolor, ink, acrylic, color pencil, marker on canvas
This is an one of one original painting. This painting is sold unframed, signed and shipped with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Please allow 1-2 weeks to receive original art for domestic orders. Allow 3-5 weeks for orders outside of the United States.
THE WOMAN WHO KEEPS GOING is a painting inspired by the process of training for a marathon. It illustrates the transformation that the body goes through when a woman challenges herself, embraces uncertainty, and discovers that she is capable of more than she imagined.
Print Size: 22 × 26”
Medium: Watercolor and Ink giclee printed on textured paper.
*Limited edition of 50 copies per painting.
Please allow 1-2 weeks to process and ship prints within the United States. Allow 3-4 weeks for international orders.
Prints are nonrefundable, signed, numbered and dated by the artist. If the print arrives damaged, please send an email to info@bykriskeys.com for an exchange.
All rights to the artwork remain under the ownership of By Kris Keys. ©2026
A painting you can wear.
Created as part of Painting a Marathon, this limited-edition cotton bandana transforms one of the paintings from my marathon journey into a wearable work of art. The original artwork is translated into a stitched outline, accompanied by the words “You Got This”—a reminder to keep moving, keep creating, and keep going.
Wear it in your hair, around your neck, on your wrist, tied to your bag, or wherever you need a little encouragement along the way in hopes that it inspired you to be patient with your journey. This scarf is unisex.
Size: 20 × 20 inches
Material: 100% cotton
Embroidered artwork
Part of the Painting a Marathon collection
Limited edition of 50. Each scarf is numbered. Each scarf is slightly different as the scarves are stitched individually.