Where art gets down to business.
So you say that you’ve been telling The Universe exactly what your art dreams are for quite some time now. You’ve spelled them out. You’ve also created a time line and check sheet for The Universe’s convenience. But it still ain’t happening. And you’re starting to get a little impatient. Try this instead: Identify what […]
Rejection is an important part of being an artist – or any creative field actually. So it’s something that you need to learn how to handle with some resiliency. As an artist and as a writer, I’ve suffered huge rejections. Instead of burying myself under a rock with a pint of ice cream and a raging […]
Today I’m going to share something a little different with you. It’s an interview I gave for the book “The Business of Art.” I’ll include a link for the book itself down below. But I thought you might be interested in how I answered these questions about my own journey and the advice I have […]
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 […]
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 […]
Who is this Muse that we talk about? Where does She come from? What does She want? Is She mythical like a fairy or an elf? Does She have magical powers? Or is She metaphorical in nature? Yes. Or possibly, no. The Muse takes on whatever form you feel comfortable with. She’s here for you. […]
“I create because I must. It’s the joy and flow of making work that fulfills me and keeps me somewhat sane.” Wendi Schneider is no stranger to the artistic life. It’s in her blood and surrounds nearly every facet of her world. Her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother were all painters. Her education focused on painting and […]
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. […]
It’s every artist’s dream, but I was shocked when it happened to me. While in Arizona last summer, I decided to visit the local art museum, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA). It’s one of my favorite museums in world. When I was the director of a nationally-known fine art lithography and etching studio, SMoCA purchased our archives. In […]
Every artist’s journey tells a story. And every story has an antagonist. The story of your artist’s journey is no different. The antagonist is the adversary, the opponent. It’s what comes between the hero and her desire. Consider your own journey, where you are right now. Can you identify an antagonist in your story? Yes, it […]