We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christina Varga. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christina below.

Christina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I had to decide in answering this question to focus on the Happiness that comes from being an artist versus Being Misunderstood as a creative artist. Being misunderstood or mischaracterized comes with the territory of being an artist. It is part of the process and fortunately I have learned through the decades of making art that SOMEONE will always misunderstand or mischaracterize you, but that you should not let any individual’s misperceptions color your own perception of your work or your value. I have never been happier than I am at this exact moment. I feel the thrill of future projects, I look forward to starting new work, my head is filled with ideas and I am always seeking out new creatives with whom to collaborate on future manifestations. Fortunately, I moved to New York City straight out of college as I first set out on my career to work in the film and entertainment industry in my 20’s. I worked for ALL the entities I had ever thought I would want to work at: MTV, Viacom New Media, Miramax Films, Sony, Comedy Central, The New York Times, Public Relations for Joseph P Kennedy Enterprises, some jingle companies and finally Real Estate which I liked the least. I tried my hand at working for others and it was not for me. When I left New York City I had shown in a handful of spaces – none proper galleries – sold some artwork at prices which showed me I had income potential and decided to launch a new life in Upstate, New York. I landed in Woodstock which was good for me because I had always identified with the Woodstock I knew from just growing up, loving the music, loving the festival and loving the way Woodstockers made an impact on the world. I NEVER wonder what it would be like to have a regular job, because I have HAD regular jobs and found them soul crushing and unrewarding. Throughout my life I had imagined myself being a mother and as an artist with a studio I am able to spend all my time with my children, make beautiful things with them, garden with them and live my highest and best life just being authentic and productive. Life is very, very good and I am exceedingly grateful for everything.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For my entire life people have remarked on my creativity and talent as exceptional, beginning in high school and until this very moment. When I was young I thought it very impractical to imagine that I could make a living as an artist and in fact the pejorative Starving Artist was one I often tossed around and employed to actually discourage myself from pursuing the arts as a means of making a living. It wasn’t until my boss, Trudye Connolly at JPK Enterprises asked me to run to an arts supply store on 57th street to get her something – I can’t remember what – that I was triggered to take a leap. At this art supply store as I was shopping for Trudye I wandered into the canvas section and was shopping for canvases for myself. I was looking at a stretched Belgian Linen canvas when a store clerk came to assist me. After asking me a few questions he assured me that I in fact did not need this expensive Belgian Linen Canvas and that as I was not a professional artist I should start with less costly supplies. I took this VERY personally and proceeded to purchase not only the linen canvas, but an assortment of professional – not student grade – art supplies as a retort to this attendant. That was when I discovered the power of being underestimated and the motivation that comes from someone else NOT believing in you. This first purchase empowered me to believe in my own self, to take myself seriously even if no one else does, and to pursue my creative light even through dark times. By surviving the slings and arrows, making all the marks, and staying on my path of expression I have found that other artists and creative people can take example and find the courage to do this in their own lives. In the 20+ years I have been making and exhibiting artwork I have found the most value in people telling me how inspired they are in my studio and their motivation to express themselves as a result. I have curated countless shows and exhibitions of artists on all levels from beginners to professional, respected icons and luminaries. I find that I can help people overcome creative obstacles by helping them let go of any preconceptions of what art should be and instead find their own voices through the creative process and allowing themselves to fully express what they see or feel and putting it on display for others to see and experience. I find that by creating a safe space and outlet for others I empower my own abilities and by shining I help others to know they, too, can shine, are worthy of shining and can find their own creative light to illuminate others in their own lives. Ultimately, I feel that when I do finally have a large art center with full resources to create video, write stories, make movies and music and movement and share it with the community and the world at large that it will serve to take giant leaps in the mental health and well-being of my peers and my children’s peers and in our community. I look forward to these accomplishments and work towards creating a better planet through creative expression in all its forms. It is more valuable to build someone up than to dismantle them through criticism and analysis and if you can create a safe space for expression in a community that community is bound to improve and do better.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As a creative artist I am so fortunate to be living my most authentic life. When I was younger I was very ambitious and wanted to be a filmmaker, but discovered that I did not like working within the film or entertainment industry as a cog in a machine. As I strove to distinguish myself I found that I wanted to fit in less and less places. It wasn’t until I moved upstate to Woodstock and opened an art studio and gallery that I felt I really found my voice and could be completely myself. When I accomplished that and all that happened in that fantastic space I found that by being my authentic, unapologetic self I not only showed other people what I could do, but gave them permission to also explore their creative selves and live their best creative lives. My very favorite and most often received feedback in my studio space – both places – the Woodstock studio for 11 years and the Phoenicia studio for going on 7 years – is that people are inspired. They feel inspired to make work, they feel inspired to be in such a creative space, they feel permission to really use any materials, express themselves in any way they can imagine and be happy doing it. This is 100% the most rewarding aspect of being a creative artist. That people see me, they see my process, they see my creative environment and they want to go and do it, too.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The goal and mission driving my creative journey is to be my most authentic self and contribute to society as much as possible by inspiring people to ignite and rekindle the creative light in themselves, bring creative expression and art to my community and beyond and to share the joy of being a creative artist. It’s completely rewarding and totally fulfilling. In 2023 I launched the Phoenicia Festival Of The Arts as a 3 day art happening that brought music, movement, art and expression to the hamlet of Phoenicia. There were community weaving projects, movement arts such as Chi Gong, Yoga and hula hooping, theater and improv and so much more. It brought the community together through the arts and we look forward to expanding the festival to span the entire month of August in 2024. My ultimate goal is to establish a community creative outlet that fosters creative expression in everyone and gives a home to kids of all ages to create their own artistic community that values the arts and the healing that comes with expressing yourself fully, openly and completely. It will make for a better society for all of us to start valuing the benefits of artistic expression FOR EVERYONE.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://vargagallery.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vargagallery/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VARGAgallery
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-varga-72092015/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/vargagallery

Image Credits
All photographs by Christina Varga – VARGA Gallery & Studio