However, she eventually tired of it and, when she moved back to Wanganui, stopped painting altogether.
But last year a trip to Raetihi inspired her to pick up her paint brush again, after she saw the Ratana Church building on the outskirts of Ratana.
"I decided to spend a year painting and see how many paintings I could turn out."
Ms Kjestrup, who works at Wanganui Hospital, paints in acrylics and oils.
Her favourite subject matter is buildings, and she has many familiar scenes from around Wanganui in her exhibition.
"I love painting Wanganui scenes - I'm really passionate about the beauty of Wanganui."
But the exhibition also includes paintings of reggae legend Bob Marley, and of dogs.
Miss Smiley, a student at Wanganui Collegiate, became involved in the exhibition after Ms Kjestrup painted scenes from Miss Smiley's photographs.
The photographs and paintings will be displayed alongside each other.
Some of the works have already been sold, but those that have not been will be for sale.