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

Hi Christa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I was always creative. However as adulthood took over, my ability to be creative become less and less. When my son was a bit older, I was reintroduced to art when I took an art class. The feeling of that was intense and overwhelming. I knew that that was where I wanted to be. I was currently engaged in a 20-year career in finance that made really good stable income. But my passion wanted to be front and center. I hired a business coach and began to make arrangements to find and pursue that passion. After many years of planning I eventually quit that 20 year career to become a full time artist. At the time I didn’t have a true plan of how I was going to make a living at it but I was doing what a loved.

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

I am artist, educator, and creative explorer with a passion for helping others unlock their own artistic potential. My work revolves around expressive portrait painting, primarily using oil paint and mixed media. I’m fascinated by the beauty and complexity of the human face this is where emotion, story, and spirit all collide. Through my artwork and online courses, I aim to inspire, educate, and connect with both beginner artists and art enthusiasts alike.

I’ve always been drawn to creative expression, but it took time, a lot of failures, self doubt and rejection before I fully embraced it and gained enough confidence to show my own art. Like many artists, I struggled with perfectionism and the nagging voice of the inner critic. It wasn’t until I allowed myself to experiment, make mistakes, and let go of the pressure to create “perfect” work that I truly found my voice.

I fell in love with portrait painting because it was a challenge. Something I had no idea how to capture and wanted to find my own success in my creative practice. When I first started creating portraits, I had no idea how to even draw a face, mix skin tone or create something that even looked faintly like a face. When I am creating portraits, my goal is not as much capturing a likeness; it’s about conveying a feeling, a story, or a moment. Over time, I began sharing my creative process online, which led to building a community of fellow artists. Seeing others grow in their own practice through my courses and content became just as rewarding as creating the work itself.

My business is a blend of creative expression and mentorship. I create original artwork: creating and selling expressive, one-of-a-kind portrait paintings. Each piece is infused with layers of color, texture, and emotion, giving collectors more than just a portrait but telling a story within the canvas. I am currently working on a series where I focus on women who I have inspired and motivated in my own creative path. Telling their creative stories.

My online courses teach beginner-friendly portrait painting courses designed to help artists break free from creative blocks and build their own creative confidence. My flagship course, Master the Muse: Beginner Portrait Painting Series, walks students through step-by-step techniques with downloadable resources and demos.

I know firsthand how intimidating it can be to start painting portraits the fear of “ruining” the canvas or not getting the proportions right can feel paralyzing. My courses and content are designed to help beginner artists overcome creative blocks and perfectionism. Demonstrate how to simplify portrait techniques into easy-to-follow steps. Encourage students to explore problem-solving strategies for common painting challenges. Motivate and inspire artists to build creative confidence through practice and encouragement. For collectors, my artwork offers a chance to own a meaningful, emotionally resonant piece that sparks connection and conversation.

What makes my work and courses unique is my focus on expressive portraiture. Rather than aiming for photo realism, I emphasize feeling, color, and texture. My goal is to help artists discover their own voice whether that’s through bold brushwork, unexpected color palettes, or experimental mixed media techniques.

Additionally, I believe in fostering a sense of community. Through my courses, portrait challenges, and social platforms, I create spaces where artists can share their progress, exchange feedback, and support one another.

I’m incredibly proud of the growing community of artists who have embraced portrait painting through my courses. Seeing students gain confidence, break through creative ruts, and celebrate their progress is deeply fulfilling. Whether it’s a beginner creating their first-ever portrait or a seasoned artist rediscovering their passion, those moments remind me why I do this.

I’m also proud of the authenticity I bring to my work both in my paintings and in how I share my journey. I’m not afraid to talk about the struggles of being a full-time artist, the messy middle of the creative process, or the vulnerability that comes with putting your work out into the world.

At its core, my work is about connection whether it’s connecting with the story behind a portrait, the emotions it evokes, or the creative spark it ignites in others.

For aspiring artists, I want you to know that your creativity is worth nurturing. You don’t need to be perfect—just willing to show up and create.
For collectors, my artwork is made with intention and heart, offering you a piece of visual storytelling that resonates on a personal level.
For fellow creatives, you are not alone in your struggles. Art is messy, unpredictable, and beautifully imperfect and that’s where the magic happens.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

There came a point in my journey when I realized I was pouring so much of myself into helping others grow creatively that I had unintentionally neglected my own artistic practice. Between running online courses, managing my social media platforms, and building a creative community, my personal work started to take a back seat. I literally did not have a body of work to call my own. I was constantly showing up for my students and followers, offering tips, encouragement, and feedback but when I looked at my own canvas, I saw dust gathering. Not to mention that I moved cross country to a whole new state.

I didn’t fully recognize it at first, but I was creatively depleted. I was so immersed in teaching and supporting others that I stopped making space for my own exploration and growth. My painting sessions became rushed, squeezed into the slivers of time between emails and content creation. I found myself going through the motions rather than genuinely connecting with the work.

That’s when I knew I needed to pivot. I made the difficult decision to step back from social media and my online community to prioritize my own creative growth. It wasn’t easy, I had built momentum with my courses and a growing following, and part of me worried that taking time away would mean losing connection. But I knew that if I didn’t reclaim space for my own practice, I would be teaching from a place of burnout rather than passion.

During this time, I gave myself permission to paint just for me, no cameras, no time-lapses, no explanations. I explored new techniques, experimented with color palettes, and allowed myself to play without the pressure of creating for an audience. I revisited the foundational skills that first made me fall in love with portrait painting, but this time with a sense of curiosity and freedom.

Stepping back gave me the creative reset I didn’t even realize I needed. I rediscovered the joy of making art without an agenda without thinking about likes, shares, or algorithms. It allowed me to reconnect with my own artistic voice and refine my vision.

Ironically, the time I spent “away” made me a better mentor and content creator. When I returned, I brought with me fresh insights and renewed energy. My courses became more authentic, fueled by recent personal breakthroughs. I was able to share not only refined techniques but also the deeper, more vulnerable lessons I had learned about creative sustainability.

This experience taught me a vital lesson that I now share with my students and fellow creatives: growth requires space. Sometimes, the most valuable thing you can do for your art (and yourself) is to step away from the noise and refocus inward.
I also realized that true creativity doesn’t thrive under constant output, it needs breathing room. By prioritizing my own growth, I was able to show up with more clarity, authenticity, and passion for my community.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most fulfilling part of being an artist is the ability to tell my story through color, texture, and expression and then release it into the universe. Art gives me a visual language to share my emotions, experiences, and truths that words often fail to capture for me. Each portrait I create carries a piece of my journey, whether it’s a reflection of resilience, vulnerability, or creative curiosity.

What makes it even more rewarding is knowing that once I put my work out into the world, it no longer belongs just to me. It becomes something that others can interpret, connect with, and find their own meaning in. I love hearing from collectors or viewers who see something deeply personal in a piece, something I may not have even intended but that resonates with their own experiences.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.creativesoulsart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christaforrestfineart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristaForrestFineArt
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/Christaforrest
• Other: Substack – https://christaforrestfineart.substack.com