Chrissy Kuiper often reflects on the childlike wonder that many young artists experience. Kuiper believes that from a young age, children are not focused on the result of the product or the expectations of what to create.
“I think that's the beauty of childhood and children; they do not have those external pressures and expectations on them,” Kuiper said. "More people should be embodying the idea of enjoying themselves."
Kuiper solidified her decision to follow art as a career path while creating her school's yearbook during a course at Community High School in her Ann Arbor hometown. From sophomore to senior year of high school, Kuiper also wrote for the school's publication, The Communicator at CHS. Both experiences fueled Kuiper's creativity and desire to experiment with new methods of creation.
“High school solidified art as a huge part of my life. The yearbook helped me find art full time and I don't just have to love this on the side.” Kuiper said.
Kuiper finds value in repeating the same course to discover new methods and refine her artistic ability in graphic design and 3D media.
“I am a serial class repeater; I had retaken film and digital photography in high school three times each," she said.
Kuiper is currently a senior at Eastern Michigan University studying graphic design and 3D media. Her involvement in writing and visual design in high school pushed Kuiper to begin her time at Eastern in the graphic design discipline. Through the art foundation courses, she was introduced to 2D media, but found her home in 3D media.
The combination of graphic design and 3D media allows Kuiper to create visual designs and tangible products that work together. Kuiper uses 3D media as a way to showcase movement and texture.
Using Computer Numerical Control, or CNC, milk foam, Chrissy Kuiper created the piece "Clustered" in 2025, which was featured in the Annual Juried Student Show. (Courtesy of Chrissy Kuiper)
“With 3D ... I feel like there is an unlimited number of possibilities. There's a million different ways to finish a 3D piece. That isn't always true for a painting.” Kuiper said.
When EMU's student-run Intermedia Gallery Group restructured in 2024, Kuiper joined the board as treasurer. At the start of the winter 2026 semester, she took on the position of vice-president.
“Eastern and IGG fosters a community that isn't jealousy driven, but appreciates that everyone can produce really good work,” Kuiper said.
Sadie Ziembowicz and Kuiper worked hand-in-hand to create art workshops hosted by IGG. Ziembowicz focused on logistics and Kuiper supplied materials and managed the setup. The goal of the workshops was to spread the art of creativity to students outside of the School of Art & Design.
“IGG is a huge part of growing as an artist and expanding your knowledge and opportunities,” Kuiper said.
Through Kuiper’s time in IGG, she was able to learn the necessary skills for creating a good art show, developing a community and stepping out of her comfort zone. As a student-run organization, IGG provides support for other members so they can ask for help and support when they need it. Any student can join IGG. One way students can get involved is to volunteer as a gallery guard, organizers said on the IGG website.
“I look forward to the new wave of students to get into IGG and take advantage of being a student-run gallery that many other students don't have an opportunity to be a part of,” Kuiper said.
Digital fabrication was a pivotal course in Kuiper’s art journey at Eastern. Originally uninterested in the process, Kuiper was later intrigued by the prospect of manipulating and adjusting textures. The course consists of a variety of Computer Numerical Control, or CNC devices, and learning how to use 3D printers and scanners, laser cutters and CNC milling machines that can enhance traditional art practice.
When viewed close-up, the rough texture and metallic shine of the leftmost piece in Chrissy Kuiper's 2025 work "Clustered" is visible. (Courtesy of Chrissy Kuiper)
When Kuiper's grandmother died in 2024, the artist used her digital fabrication skills to honor her memory. Kuiper was inspired to create “Handmade with Love” in 2025, a 3D-printed quilt design. As a young girl, Kuiper's grandmother was a skilled quilter and brought to life any vision Kuiper had through her talents. Kuiper worked to commemorate her grandmother's work through a recreation of her quilt design. She used 298 3D printed diamonds that were individually sanded and hand-painted to create the piece.
Using 3D printing, Chrissy Kuiper hand-sanded and painted 298 diamonds to produce this quilted piece. This artwork was also featured in the Annual Juried Student Show. (Courtesy of Chrissy Kuiper)
Kuiper will create two additional quilt pieces by the end of the winter 2026 semester that also use a 3D-printed design. She will also use a quilt design to create a wood-working version. This piece will use different wood types to replicate the different variations of the quilt's colors.
Kuiper said she enjoys 3D art because of the hands-on and structured process that guides her.
“I know all the steps I need to do and I can experiment within those steps, but I still have those steps,” Kuiper said.
When viewed close-up, the soft texture of the two neon pieces in Chrissy Kuiper's 2025 work "Clustered" is visible. (Courtesy of Chrissy Kuiper)
In her junior year of high school, Kuiper was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. After the diagnosis, Kuiper was able to adjust her artistry in a way that allows her to focus on the process.
“I can slow down and zone in on exactly what I am doing. My brain quiets down and I don't have to think about everything I'm doing,” Kuiper said.
Instead of focusing on the end-result or product, Kuiper stays in the moment, concentrating on the current artistic process.
“I think focusing on the process really takes away the stress of trying to achieve a final product. This mindset doesn't inhibit anything. It makes things simpler to not be focused on exactly what the final product looks like,” Kuiper said.
Kuiper uses the principle of working on one piece at a time to find the beauty in the process of creation.
“If I don't even have a plan, then nothing is a mistake and it is all a part of the process,” Kuiper said. “I love to experiment and try new things, and I can't do that if I go into the project with a set plan.”
Many art students manage a full schedule, with three-hour studio classes and an additional five hours of expected work outside of each class period. Art students are also expected to complete dense projects that can take multiple weeks to complete.
To manage the stress of a busy schedule and to avoid burnout, Kuiper uses baking as an outlet. She finds respite in the use of exact measurements and the satisfaction that comes from the final product of a completed baked good.
Despite the time pressure of completing projects, Kuiper takes breaks to strengthen her focus on the artistic process.
“This is what makes art so beautiful is the process, not the final products, but the time, effort and patience that goes into the final product — that's what matters,” Kuiper said.
Kuiper is a part of the first generation of Windgate Fellowship students. The Windgate Fellowship helps art students participate in more experiential learning and community engagement opportunities through a one-year stipend to support tuition, fees, travel and incidental expenses related to creative activity and scholarly research, said an article written by Brittany Mobley on EMU Today.
Kuiper is set to graduate in May 2027 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and concentration in graphic design and 3D media.
“I really never lost that childhood whimsy. I always try the new things I want to try, and when I got to college, I just couldn't see myself doing anything else,” Kuiper said.
To follow along Kuiper’s artistic journey, follow @chaotickreations24 on Instagram.
Windgate art fellow Chrissy Kuiper works with the 298 hand-sanded and painted diamonds used in her quilted piece, which was featured in the Annual Juried Student Show. (Courtesy of Chrissy Kuiper)
