“It’s really easy to work as an artist!” said no one, ever. Most artists are really challenged when it comes to marketing their own work. Are you? Maybe you can’t place your finger on what your style is? Maybe you play in more than one medium? It’s difficult to package something that feels so elusive […]

I believe that the best artists are Artist Warriors. But instead of taking up arms, we take up brushes and cameras and clay. Artists are warriors of the spirit. Like any warrior, artists must be tested, must be prepared. You must prove your courage and your commitment. Haven’t you seen this is your own life? […]

“Dear Crista,” the email began. “How can I achieve a high level of success in the art world?” Ah! That elusive goal of “a high level of success.” Artists ask me about it all the time. And this is what I say: You’ll never get there. I say that because once you attain what seems […]

  Is your life’s journey a true expression of your self? Too many people just follow what’s right in front of them, without discernment. They choose what’s easy and available. They don’t realize that we can create our own lives. I think that’s why the public is so fascinated by the lives of artists. We’re […]

How do you prepare for the artist’s journey if you don’t know where you’re going? Spend wisely. When I was selling other people’s art and not making my own art, I filled that empty space inside myself with stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. I had a big house, crammed up to the attic with […]

I’m always encouraging artists to JUMP. But what does that even mean? The jump is about following your heart. If you recognize your heart as the very best of yourself, and you acknowledge that this is where your creativity comes from, you can trust your heart to lead. Don’t confuse your heart with your head. […]

I went all the way to France to write my book. But that didn’t make it any easier. Chapter One. Page One. The bright white of the paper glared accusingly. How do I begin?   At the café, the proprietor noticed the blank notebook and my heavy sighs. He asked what was I writing? I […]

I was 17 years old and had never met a blind man before. Every day, he sat at the counter of the diner where I poured coffee. The first time we met, he pulled out paper and colored pencils and started to draw. “But you can’t see!” I blurted out. He just smiled. Blinded by disease […]

Artists live in the realm of magic. But we also live in the real world, often at the fringes of culture. It’s difficult to navigate both worlds and our unique situation gives rise to challenging questions. How can artists live in the real world while maintaining access to magic? How can we find balance? These […]

It’s not about whether you succeed or fail as an artist. It’s about the kind of person you become as you do the work. Does it make you feel more authentic? Are you coming from a place of integrity? Do you share generously? Are you grateful? And most importantly, are you actually making art, good […]