Art & Life with Kristen Monique Lundberg

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Monique Lundberg.

Kristen Monique, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I’m from Dayton, OH. Received B.F.A from the Art Academy of Cincinnati in 2012 and became a digital toy sculptor working in coffee shops and pizza joints all the while. My dad is an aerospace engineer, and I always felt pressure to make some scientific breakthrough–that for me was becoming a comedian.

When I was 17, I felt a cosmic pressure to tell everyone I was pursuing comedy like I was doing them all a favor. I was wrong. The owner of my hometown comedy club kicked me out. My jokes were that bad. I was blacklisted by the Dayton Comedy Community, so I took to YouTube under the name Mammyspanx. The name “Mammyspanx” means nothing. The computer will prompt you to correct it every time. Don’t. My username is un-memorable, difficult to spell and that’s how I want it.

I still operate as Mammyspanx on YouTube making sketch comedy. Currently, I live in Los Angeles doing mostly live stand-up performances. I perform with a violin sometimes. Been playing for over ten years.

I room with my gay best friend, Stefan. Everyone is jealous of our home life. We sleep in bunk beds because the rent was more than anticipated. My cat’s name is Moo Moo, and she is very good. She has never pooped elsewhere than the litter box. That’s my story.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I do comedy because I think it has the power to heal. And I’m too bad at math to be an actual doctor. Math brings up bad childhood memories. I aim to be the Mr. Rogers of comedy and take the bullying out of it. I love mean comedy, but I aim to bring a balance.

My second art is currently ice sculpture. When I was living in Chicago, I was an assistant for an ice sculpting company that did live demos at the zoo. So when I moved to LA, my boss told me to call ice companies and get a job doing carvings. I thought he was nuts, then I called and got a job on the spot.

Now, I make my entire living making ice swans and other creatures for special events. I use a chainsaw in a freezer, and usually, I’m blue by the time I’m done.

Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities, and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
My advice is to not guilt yourself for focusing on the things that keep you a member of this society. I think doing art comes with the responsibility of doing community service. If it’s something you truly love, you don’t mind “donating” it to people like your co-workers. When I tell my co-workers jokes, I never ask them for a dollar on top of that. So what you are working in the “wrong field” to make a dollar? Bless the people around you with your talents. Give people around you the unexpected, and you’ll receive the same.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can see me performing live in LA and surrounding areas. Performance dates are here: www.kristensfunnyhair.com. You can also view my satirical news site here: www.sometimesnews.com. My Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, youtube are all @mammyspanx

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kristensfunnyhair.com
• Phone: 9376710091
• Email: lundbergkristen@gmail.com
• Instagram: @mammyspanx
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristen.lundberg.3
• Twitter: mammyspanx
• Other: Youtube: Mammyspanx

Image Credit:
Kristen Monique Lundberg

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