Meet L.J. DeLuca and Kristin Carnahan | Artists

We had the good fortune of connecting with L.J. DeLuca  and Kristin Carnahan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi L.J. and Kristin, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Our business started because our creativity got massively out of hand. Both of us started making art as an outlet for illness, whether that was Kristin’s depression and MS or LJ’s ADHD and bipolar disorder. Pretty soon, we both had an overwhelming amount of art we had no idea what to do with. But we loved what we were doing, and we wanted to share it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Our art started as a coping mechanism for serious illness, but it isn’t depressing. Our aesthetic is more cute and goofy than anything else. It invites you to play and laugh at things like depression, anxiety, and chronic illness. We’re using the things that make our lives hardest as an inspiration to create joy. The best part of what we do is seeing people’s reactions to what we make. People will pick up a card about mental illness and start laughing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
LJ: I really love FreePlay Arcade in Richardson. It was started by one of my friends from high school, Richard, and you can see his passion for old school games in every aspect of the business.

KC: I’m kind of a homebody! My MS keeps me home a lot, so I enjoy ordering takeout and watching TV and painting fruits and vegetables. When I go out, though, I love to hit up Harvest Seasonal Kitchen in downtown McKinney. Their cocktails are incredible, and I like that they use local ingredients.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
LJ: I know she’s technically part of our story, but I want to dedicate my Shoutout to Kristin Carnahan. Kristin is one of the most encouraging partners I could’ve hoped for. I’m a hopeless perfectionist, but Kristin always reminds me that being bad at something is part of getting good at anything. It’s okay to suck. That’s how you grow.

KC: I will shout right back at LJ. The thousands of hours they have spent practicing give them a sharp eye for editing. Example: I paint a squiggly set of rectangles to represent the Dallas skyline. I ask for LJ’s input. They remind me that perspective exists, show me examples, and suddenly I’m on my floor using pushpins and string to mark perspective lines on a huge canvas, and the skyline looks 3D. LJ’s confidence in my ability to execute designs brings out my A game. I attribute a lot of artistic growth to people who have overestimated my abilities.

Website: www.etsy.com/shop/pigmentsinablanket

Instagram: @pigmentsinablanket

Facebook: facebook.com/pigmentsinablanketFB