I like a hero as much as the next girl, maybe more. Probably more. But my heroes aren’t action stars, sports legends, nor Kardashians. They’re not even all artists. My heroes tend to be the special teachers I’ve had over the years. A few of them worked in a classroom, most of them didn’t. But […]
Who’s Your Art Hero? Read More »
Artist Luis Jimenez died tragically in an accident in June of 2006. At the studio where I worked, Luis was the first artist I knew to pass away. Artists Fritz Scholder and Keith Haring had also worked with us and gone before him, but Luis was on my watch – and he was family. Luis Jimenez
The Artist Who Couldn’t Be Tamed Read More »
Artists often confide to me that they’re afraid to put themselves “out there.” Afraid of what other people will think. Afraid of what other people might say. Afraid of haters. I get it. Both being an artist myself, as well as having an online business has opened me up to abuse. People can be mean.
Dancing With Haters Read More »
I once dragged a film crew to the Scottsdale Arts Festival. The cameras followed me as I collected wisdom from exhibiting artists. I wanted to capture the artists’ stories, learn tricks of the trade, get their insights into how this whole art fair thing works for them. After all, sales at art fairs were exploding.
How To Share Your Creative Gifts Read More »
It’s been nearly 20 years since I first spent time in France. Nearly 20 years since I met a beautifully talented artist from Hawaii named Maria Lee. Maria was teaching at a small art school for American students in a tiny Provençal village. I was there for the summer too. We both had a profound
Have You Ever Felt Lost? Read More »
I guess it won’t surprise you know that I’ve always believed in magic. I look for those small moments of synchronicity that let me know I’m not alone. I don’t know Who or What it is that walks beside me, but by dropping that penny in my path, I’ve felt that everything is going to
Are You Giving Your Power Away? Read More »
Her name was Ruffian. And she was the fastest girl alive. They said she couldn’t beat the boys but I didn’t believe them. Ruffian was a two-year-old thoroughbred racehorse who ran undefeated. In fact, no horse had ever run in front of her, she took the lead every time and refused to surrender it. But
How I Learned to Run Read More »
Like many creatives, you want to become a full-time professional artist one day. Isn’t that the dream? But the path to becoming a professional artist isn’t clear. They don’t teach entrepreneurial skills in art school. There’s a ton of conflicting information on the internet. And it sometimes feels like the blind leading the blind. For
How To Become A Professional Artist Read More »
What’s an artist to do when confronted with the complexities of a creative life? Create a new picture. Work through the blocks between where you are now and where you want to be. “But Crista,” you say. “It’s not that easy.” I get it. In his remarkable book The War of Art, Steven Pressfield talks a lot about
How Amateur Artists Go Pro Read More »
Mickey was born the moment that his father died. His dad was rushing to the hospital to greet his firstborn son when he was hit by a train and killed instantly. A few years later, Mickey’s misfortune continued when his mom married a Bad Man. Family lore has it that the Bad Man beat little
The Gift a Gentle Giant Left Me Read More »