We were lucky to catch up with Crissie Vitale recently and have shared our conversation below.

Crissie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

My path to becoming a watercolor artist was anything but linear—but I always knew I needed to do something creative with my life. For a long time, I dreamed of being an actress and a dancer. Then I explored writing as a fashion blogger as well as graphic design as a wedding stationer.It was through designing wedding invitations that I discovered watercolor—and I instantly fell in love.
The medium challenged me to learn, grow, and create art I never believed I was capable of making.
Then, after losing both of my parents to cancer in the same year, painting became more than just a creative pursuit. It became therapy—a way to process my grief, preserve memories, and, ultimately, see that a career as an artist wasn’t just a dream but a real possibility.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Crissie—a watercolor artist and stationer based in La Grange Park, IL, a suburb just west of Chicago. And I also work part-time at a small, Chicago-based ad agency, where I focus on brand strategy.

It might seem like a weird combo – but it works for me! I first got into strategy when I was living in New York City trying to be an actress. Acting wasn’t exactly paying the bills, and I needed a way to make money. One day, I attended a talk at FIT (I wish I could remember the speaker’s name!) where the speaker was discussing the importance of getting to the root of why you love doing what you do. That really stuck with me. For me, it all came back to storytelling—I loved acting because it allowed me to bring stories to life. And in a way, brand strategy is just another form of storytelling.

As I mentioned before, it took a little longer for me to find my way to being a watercolor artist. BUT, it’s probably no surprise that I find my artwork is also a way for me to tell stories and process emotions. At first glance, it might seem like I’m just painting pretty flowers, and in some ways, I am! but there’s always a deeper meaning behind them. Some are tied to the people in my life, like my mom, who loved poppies, or my sister, who adores magnolias. Others tell stories through the colors and blossoms I choose, either based on my personal connection to them or the symbolism they hold in society.

I sell my original watercolor paintings, but I also turn my art into stationery and other giftable products, making it accessible at any price point. One of my favorite things is hearing that people find my work calming and joyful. And I especially love when a piece sparks a special memory for someone—maybe a flower reminds them of a loved one. In those moments, it feels like I’m not just telling my own stories, but helping others tell theirs, too.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Oh my gosh, so many. One big one is the feeling that since I’m not a full time artist I’m not a success. That’s one that I have to remind myself of over and over. It’s OK for your passion to not be what pays all the bills, as long as you can find a good balance and have time to dedicate to your craft – you can still grow and succeed as a creative. And it’s totally fine to be proud of both paths!

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Honestly, Skillshare has been a HUGE resource for me. They have classes about just about anything you’d want to learn. I’ve used Skillshare to learn new art techniques, get social media inspiration even learn how to better use Photoshop!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.crissievitale.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crissievitale/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crissievitale/

Image Credits

Kelsey Combe