Writing non-fiction and fiction
Instructions for living a life.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.
―
Kristina Lyn Heitkamp
children’s author, plein air writer, and environmental journalist
Children's Author
Kristina is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She has written articles for the magazines Odyssey, Muse, and Faces. Kristina has authored and edited 14 non-fiction books on topics ranging from ancient history to science and technology for Rosen Publishing, Britannica Educational, Enslow Publishing, and Red Line Editorial. She has also edited five anthologies for Greenhaven Publishing.
Plein Air Writer
Plein air is French for “open air” and was a popular art movement in the early nineteenth century. Artists would bring their paints, canvases, and brushes to the great outdoors to create artwork from life. Much in the way that plein air artists produce paintings, Kristina plein air writes stories. She packs her bag with pencils, paper, and snacks and wanders into the wild for inspiration and creating. Summer 2017 she embarked on a forty-day plein air adventure. Read about her adventure on her blog.
Environmental Journalist
After receiving a graduate degree in environmental journalism, Kristina has been working on building a better alliance between the environment and society. Her work includes bison conservation and sustainable living. Kristina has also provided research for National Geographic Books.
Portfolio
Thank you to the author for this easy to read, thoughtful, and useful book. I recommend it highly for any group that wants to learn about how to confront hate speech and/or about the sad history of Anti-Semitism.
Summer 2017, my partner and I traveled to nine public lands across Utah, inspiring dialogue about the relationship between public lands and the arts. The project highlighted the inherent value of public lands to the arts.
Contact Kristina!
Latest Blog Posts
Clean Air: Utah
Salt Lake City I had the opportunity to flex my artivism muscle. Honored to be a contributor to this important project, but my favorite story is by a 5th grader named Gracie. “I feel sad when the air hurts me, but we are hurting it.” Thanks, Torrey...
Plein Air Public Lands: Day 27
Grand Staircase Escalante After a morning of fighting the internet connection, we packed up our final Days Inn camp spot and said goodbye forever. Or at least for now. Expired Goldfish and Water Over the mountain and through Dixie Forest, we drove our way to Grand...
Plein Air Public Lands: Day 26
Torrey area I couldn’t wait to get inside the truck this morning. Like waiting in a theater to see your favorite band play a show, I was eager to see Rex’s nocturne painting from the night before. From I could see, I really liked the composition but it was difficult...
Plein Air Public Lands: Day 25
Capitol Reef I got up before the sunrise, put on my pink hat and fleece, and was happy for it. I enjoyed the cool of the high desert morning, like a splash of cold water to wake you for the day. Rex whipped up a dark roast French press and hash browns with chives,...
Plein Air Public Land: Day 24
Capitol Reef As Rex walked back from his usual sunrise painting session, I noticed he picked up a hitchhiker along the way. Hitchhikers A common sagebrush lizard hitched a ride on Rex’s plein air backpack and then climbed upon his back. “Lizzie” got off at the end...
Plein Air Public Lands: Day 23
Capitol Reef I opened my eyes this morning with much pride and excitement. In the early morning hours, Rex had created a beautiful 18 x 24 plein air painting. He had been anxious and a bit nervous to tackle such a large canvas, but I reminded him of his recent 4 x...
