We were lucky to catch up with Christi Friesen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Christi, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Being a full-time creative is an odd life. A wonderful, perplexing, stressful, free, exhilarating, exhausting life. I wouldn’t trade it for a “real” job ever. But there are sometimes I have thought about what it would be like to have dependable structure and the option to leave your work at the workplace. It’s tempting sometimes, but…. nah. I’d choose this life every time.

I remember a few years back, well, maybe a decade by now, that my creative life was almost too much – constant traveling to teach and do shows then staying up late in hotels to finish deadlines for articles and books and projects. There was the variety and attention that I needed, but it got to the point where it was too much to keep up with. Even then i don’t think that i thought too much about getting a real job as an alternative. Once you’ve been in charge of all the decisions and seeing things you’ve created get such appreciation from people, it’s hard to imagine not living that life. Maybe it’s a control issue? Anyway, I contemplated what it might be like to get sick enough to have to stay in a hospital or convalescent home for a while. Maybe commit a crime and get to relax in a jail cell. haha! oh my. I didn’t really entertain those thoughts as actual choices, but the silly fantasy of imagining such drastic options helped me realize that the day-to-day lifestyle that had evolved was pushing the actual creative part of my self into an impossible place.

I’m glad to say that I brought my life slowly back into balance (mostly!) and the creative part of my life is center and the business is support, instead of the other way around. It has been a process. This making-a-living stuff is tricky!

But at the core of myself is the joy of living a creative life as an artist, all day, every day. I can’t imagine it being just a thing I do on the side when I have time. That’s not enough for me.

I suppose it is that passion, bordering on obsession that makes getting a ‘regular’ job impossible. This is my happy place.

Christi, 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?

It’s all about me! I know that sounds a bit arrogant, but I don’t really mean it that way. My brand, my work, my art, my products – they’re all about me and how I see the world. Something that I think is worth sharing, and luckily other folks do too and are willing to pay for it. And I’m so glad about that! It’s how I pay my bills and keep myself in high-quality chocolates.

At the core of it is what I create. Simply, my business is my artwork. Folks can acquire something I’ve sculpted or painted or assembled. This is my favorite part of my creative life. If you’re interested in my art, sometimes pieces make it online for sale, but usually they are claimed by the members of my Diamond group, who have dibs on all my new works. (you can find more info on that on my website: christiFriesen.com)

But there is also the part of me that likes to share HOW I make what I make, so there have always been workshops, and online events and creative subscription groups and tutorials and books. So i have a whole array of ways that I can show you how to create things. Again, my youtube channel (ChristiFriesen Art) or my website will show you so many choices. A large part of my business has always been centered on sharing creative knowledge – for free, for a donation or for sale. It’s been a wonderful way to connect with other people interesting in making.

So making artwork and sharing the creative process has led me to another part of what has become a important part of my business, products. Folks ask not only how I make things but what I used to make it. So suggestions and recommendations led to adding more and more unique products to my online offerings. I have a line of specialty tools and metal paint/patinas as well as an ever-changing selection of interesting embellishments. Stuff to make stuff with.

It’s really satisfying to share my ideas, processes, supplies and finished creations with so many people that are enthusiastic about what I have to offer! And it keeps me motivated to keep finding and making new and interesting things!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

For better or for worse, social media is reality. I actually love having access to so many people in ways I never could have without social media.

I truly feel that now there is no real way to be a creative person, as a profession, without an active presence in social media. There are some few exceptions of course, but whether you want to or not, as an artist, social media is a necessity.

I love it. Being able to post and livechat and create online events has actually helped my business thrive, and most especially during these covid times.

My advice to anyone starting to build there social presence as an artist is just do it. Don’t overthink it. It’s all about just showing off the parts of you as an artist that you want people to know about. How do you make your art? Why do you make your art? what does it look like when everything goes right and it turns out great? what if something goes wrong? We want to see that too. What inspires you, interests you. People often buy artwork because it speaks to them. The best way for your art to speak to people is for you to actually speak to them. When people get to know you and to feel like they are connected to you, your art will be even more eloquent.

So how? Find the platform that works for you. You don’t have to do all of them. Which social media platform do you find yourself on most often. Start there. Make a page devoted to your artistic life and just start sharing. Daily if you can. That’s what it comes down to. Show up consistently. Share yourself. It works.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

There are two things that are most rewarding to me as an artist.

The first and best thing is that feeling of joy, pride and satisfaction I feel when something I’ve created turns out good. And after the joy of making it, I get to step back and look at the finished piece and really really like it. That doesn’t happen all the time of course. But it happens a lot. It’s hard to describe how it feels, but it’s bliss!

The other thing is when someone loves something I’ve created and buys it. They like what I’ve done enough to trade their hard-earned cash for it. That is a constant source of validation. How often do most people get that in life? Not often enough I think.

These two aspects of being an artist are what makes this life so deeply satisfying.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.christifriesen.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realchristifriesen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christi.friesen.5/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChristiFriesenArt
• Other: my other facebook public creative community group is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/christiscreativeneighborhood

Image Credits
all the images are my own ;-)