Kristin M Roach
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kristinmroach.bsky.social
Kristin M Roach
@kristinmroach.bsky.social
Artist | Author
Ah this feels like a throwback to college - making zines on the dining room table. Thanks fam for letting me spread out in the common area so I can make my pile of scraps and also be around people.
December 11, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Happy catmas season. Make sure to treat your cats and not to tease them. A work in progress page from my zine coming out this weekend: the 12 days of catmas.
December 11, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Holiday Studio Shop, Friday, December 12 from 3-6pm. 138 Main Street (2nd flr), Ames, Iowa. Follow the QR code to RSVP + reserve a free copy of my newest Xmas zine — The Twelve Days of Catmas! 🎄 🐈 🦢 and here is a preview of the zine, glue still drying.
December 4, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Ive been reading Tending Iowa’s Landscape and it has me thinking about our efforts to restore our own woods — what to plant to replace honeysuckle in the understory and i found this nice resource. northamericanlandtrust.org/plant-this-n...
Plant this, Not That: Native Plant Substitutes for Invasive Species - North American Land Trust
Our “Plant This, Not That” series aims to help you find a native plant to use instead of or to replace the invasive species in your yard. These plants can not only provide the same look and texture, b...
northamericanlandtrust.org
June 13, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Kayaking has been a new thing in my life and I’m loving paddling around lakes.
June 12, 2025 at 2:42 PM
See my botanical paintings in person at three places during Artwalk THURSDAY from 5-8pm. The Elderberries gouache painting is at the Octagon as part of the member show, Little Woods Herbal hosts the 2021 collection and my 2nd floor workspace is full of the new collection. Artwalks CON: too short!
June 4, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Common tern study. Trying out a a new way of working with charcoal.Preparing to jump back in and finish the painting that’s about 90% done. It was feeling a bit too ridgid so I wanted a step back and play a bit.
May 19, 2025 at 6:56 PM
TONIGHT: Come say hello @mainframearts from 5-8pm — Des Moines May first Friday kicking off shortly! Honored to have my work included in Mainframes Environment exhibit. So much good art all over!

Ps - We are picking up our kiddo and heading down, will be there asap.
May 2, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Added three new zines to the Substack paid subscriber archive today. Just saying. Maybe go take a peek. Http://kristinmroach.substack.com
April 24, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Camptastic! I just got back from 4ish days of hiking and camping. Unplugging from news I looked and yep, things are still broke but at now my spirit is not. Planning on a camp trip every month this summer. Thanks for Jennifer Drinkwater for photos!
April 24, 2025 at 6:51 PM
On of the fun treats of my job — getting to draw the sandwich board! I am in love with the little morels and snow drops.
April 13, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Good morning. #breakfastcat
April 13, 2025 at 2:07 PM
First bike to work of the spring. I bundled up to ride and had to stop every 5 min and remove a layer or put one back on.

Layers:
Fleece running tights
Longest hiking socks
Thermal base layer long sleeve
Workout shirt
Smartwool vest
Puffy coat
Gloves

Dearly miss: Skullcap to wear under my helmet.
April 8, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Ice brings memories of impromptu popsicles and skating and cozy days with hot chocolate.

Ice brings fears of power outages, work closures, accidents, falls with broken bones.

Both are true.

Try and stay safe and warm today. I know many in iowa are without power already.
March 5, 2025 at 2:36 PM
A letter (literially) from my studio about the time I got ants in my pants while painting rose hips. Newest painting and Substack edition is out now.

#iowaartist #botanicalart #pleinairpainting #blue #originalpainting #gouache #artpodcast
February 26, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Many people will tell my kid her art is not cool/current/sophisticated/skilled/good enough. No matter what her artwork is. I want to give her language to defend her artistic vision and the resiliency to take constructive feedback so she can grow.
February 20, 2025 at 5:43 PM
I had a convo w my 11yo last night about her “ugly drawing”.
Kid: just admit it’s ugly
Me: art is subjective, my subjective opinion is it is a cute sketch.
Kid: it’s ugly, just say it!
Me: as your mom I can’t lie. I’ll judge it myself. I love it.
Kid: 😠
Dad walks in: oh those are so good!
🥰
February 20, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Okay I seriously keep almost posting the same strawberry painting every time I post one.
February 20, 2025 at 5:28 PM
A not so great #strawberry painting. It takes all kinds to make a good one.
February 20, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Another mini #strawberry #painting. It’s 2x2” and painted in gouache.
February 15, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Another strawberry. 🍓 happy Friday!
February 14, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Here’s a strawberry mini painting for you. More to follow throughout the weekend. Have a happy day. Hopefully with some real strawberries in the mix.
February 14, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Newest letter from my studio is out. Read or listen to it over at kristinmroach.substack.com
February 8, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Such a mood. Cat napping.
January 31, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Daisy helped me find a huge cashe of #oakgull today. Wouldn’t have been wandering around in the woods without her. I’ll be making some iron gull ink with these. #inkmaking #ecoart
January 30, 2025 at 8:50 PM