Artistry by Kristin MacKenzie Hussey

By Abby Chatfield

Sun contributor

Nestled amid the picturesque landscapes of Leelanau County, artist Kristin MacKenzie Hussey has made a name for herself with her charming watercolor paintings that capture the whimsical and nostalgic essence of this beautiful region. A gifted designer and co-owner of The Warren Collective in Leland, Hussey’s art has blossomed in popularity, captivating locals and visitors alike.

Hussey’s passion for art stems from her upbringing in a family that celebrated creativity. “I was raised in a very artistic family, so I was always encouraged to be creative and play with different types of art,” she said. “My mom is an oil painter, my dad designs surgical instruments, and my sister is a children’s book author and illustrator, so I feel very lucky to have a family who encourages following your dreams and being passionate about your work.”

One of the most awe-inspiring experiences for Hussey was her participation in the Consenses Walks project in Leland. Reflecting on the project, she expressed, “Participating in the Consenses project was such a beautiful experience. I was so honored to be asked to join a handful of incredible local artists to play a game of Art Telephone, so to speak.”

For the project, she interpreted a song by Josh Davis, creating a watercolor painting that depicted a bouquet of flowers in a cracked vase. Her goal was to convey a message of hope amid imperfections: “When creating my piece, I wanted to be sure to include the imagery of brokenness and imperfection, but also give the painting a feeling of levity and hope.”

An extraordinary moment during the Consenses project came when Hussey and poet Michelle Leask discovered that they had both independently named their pieces “Beauty in the Brokenness.” She recalled, “It was kismet! Throughout the Consenses project, there were many unexplainable elements that connected each piece to each other.”

Hussey finds her inspiration in the breathtaking landscapes of northern Michigan, especially in locations where she can see the water. She shared her artistic process, saying, “Most of the patterns that I design are painted from my imagination, while the landscapes are done either Plein Air or from a photo that I take and reference later on, especially in the middle of winter.”

At The Warren, Hussey’s sanctuary, visitors can explore her artwork, including original paintings, fine art prints, stationery, wrapping paper, and various other gift items. She loves witnessing customers interacting with their art: “It is such a peaceful space that Kelsey and I created, and I love seeing customers come in and interact with our art.”

In addition to her involvement in Consenses, Hussey has been a part of various events in the local art scene. This year, she participated in Leland Air and Art Leelanau at the Old Art Building, while also teaching watercolor classes there. Looking ahead, Hussey has exciting plans for her artistic journey. “Over the next year, I am planning on creating a new series of original paintings, as well as adding to my ever-growing print collection. I’m always looking for fun new ways to use my artwork on products too, so adding new products to my line is a goal of mine as well. I would love to teach more watercolor classes in the near future too!” she said.

Beyond her artistic endeavors, Hussey actively engages with the community. “My children go to Leland Public School, so I spend a lot of time volunteering there, and I am a member of the Old Art Building, which provides so many invaluable resources to our community that I love to be a part of; from taking ballet classes to participating in different artist events,” she shared.

As Kristin Hussey continues to paint the essence of Leelanau County, her artwork serves as a reflection of the region’s soul, celebrating the fleeting beauty of life. To learn more about her work, visit kristinmackenzie.com.