We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cristina Bowes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Cristina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In 2011, a good friend of mine asked me to paint with her in her studio. I instantly loved it! However, I was and still am a stay at home mom to three children, at that time they were 6, 4, and 1, so I had very limited time to paint. Over the years I tried to paint but found very little time while trying to finish up my bachelors in psychology, then getting my professional teaching license while also working as an elementary teacher. I loved painting but could never find the time. I finally stopped working to help my husband start his own financial wealth management, then COVID happened and I was my children’s teacher while we did school at home. When the world began to come back to life I decided in 2021 I needed something for myself and painting was my outlet. I started taking painting classes, learning from other artist, while trying to learn my voice and process, it was and is still difficult to find classes that teach oil abstract. However, in August of 2023 my friends asked me to do a commission piece for their home. I loved doing that piece! It made me realize that maybe this is something I should actually take serious and just go for it. So I did! By November of 2023 I dove head first, I launched my own website, applied for art festivals, joined my local art groups, and opened myself up to the world. Since then, I am now on the board as secretary for a non profit organization, Tri Arts Project, a volunteer as an exhibit coordinator on another non profit organization, Castle Rock Artist Alliance, I am in multiple art festivals in Colorado, and now a member at 931 Gallery in Denver. The moment I believed in myself and became vulnerable, my world opened up to numerous possibilities to pursue my art career.

Cristina, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up in a small town in Kansas, surrounded by five siblings and living on 300 acres in the middle of nowhere. As a child, I thought I didn’t enjoy painting because I craved more freedom than traditional techniques allowed. So, I turned to photography, which gave me the creative freedom I was looking for. I loved manipulating images in the darkroom. I almost went to art school, but unforeseen circumstances prevented me.

Thankfully, a year and a half after graduating high school, I met my wonderful husband. He was preparing to move to Arizona for school and work, and I was ready for a new adventure. So, we packed up our cars and headed to Arizona for a fresh start. Six months later, we got married. A year and a half after that, we welcomed our first child, followed by our second two years later. Three years later, we moved to Colorado and had our last child. It was a crazy time, for sure!

I even tried to take a photography class after my first child, but by then everything was transitioning to digital, and darkrooms were hard to find. With the demands of raising kids and completing my bachelor’s degree in psychology, I struggled to find time for creative outlets until a friend introduced me to oil abstract painting. This was the freedom I had been searching for.

Some consider oil paints high maintenance because they take longer to dry, but this allows for blending and correcting mistakes. For me, it’s a way to express my emotions through each brushstroke and color choice. I studied psychology because I’m fascinated by why we do what we do and how our emotions shape us. When I create art, I want to evoke
feelings and offer a fresh perspective. I don’t want to paint what you already know; I want you to evoke new emotions. I want you to feel something new.

While I’ve doubted myself, knowing that some struggle with understanding abstraction, I’m proud to have stayed true to my vision. I hope my paintings convey my authenticity and bring joy to those who view them.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn is self-doubt. We all struggle with it, right? The real challenge is understanding where it comes from. If you experience self-doubt, it often stems from being told at some point that you’re not good enough. To heal, you might need to dig deep and connect with that inner child who was hurt long ago. This part of you is trying to protect you from further pain, which can hold you back from pursuing new opportunities. By approaching that inner child with curiosity and compassion, you can help it realize that you’re capable of handling new challenges—unlike when you were younger.
This shift can empower you to overcome fear.

I’ve often struggled with feelings of worthiness and still occasionally feel like an imposter, even when I achieve something.
It’s a continuous journey for me, as I push myself to try new things. While that inner child still tries to protect me, I’ve noticed that as I confront difficult tasks and step out of my comfort zone, it becomes less powerful. I’m learning to embrace disappointment because I am still ok and recognize that it’s ok to tackle hard things.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I’m still new to calling myself an artist, but what’s most rewarding is finally doing something for myself. I’ve been pursuing my art career for less than a year, and recently, several people outside my family and friends bought my paintings. That was an incredible feeling! I went from excitement to joy to fear in just a few moments. Even though self-doubt tried to creep in, I focused on that initial excitement and held onto it. That joy came from committing to my art, even when I worried that no one would appreciate it. I’ve put in the effort, time, and dedication to create work that others can enjoy. If I hadn’t stayed true to my belief in myself, I never would have experienced these amazing feelings.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cbcreatingbalance.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbowesart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081556720557

Image Credits

All images were taken by me