Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christine Kirby. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Christine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
I have always known that I’m a creative. I graduated college with an interior design degree and began my career just before the market crash of 2008. Professionally, I struck out on a new path that had nothing to do with my artistic talents and dabbled in painting for myself. It wasn’t until July 2015 that I opened my wedding business. And while it’s changed and grown a little over the last seven years, there’s a part of me that wonders what goals I’d have already accomplished if I’d started sooner.
While that wish is there, I try not to linger on the “what could have been” scenarios. Those are in the past, so I can only change what I do today, to make tomorrow better.
Christine, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
For those that haven’t met me yet, I’m Christine, and I’m a watercolor and calligraphy artist specializing in custom wedding stationery. I began my stationery career in 2015 under the business name Carousel Atelier Calligraphy, but in 2020 rebranded to Christine Kirby Studios. My foray into business was accidental. I was asked to be a part of a photoshoot because the photographer had difficulty finding a calligrapher (and I started learning calligraphy in 1994!). She intended to publish the photoshoot therefore, I needed to be a business.
The shoot got published, and I started to put my college business minor to good use.
As a bespoke boutique, I love working with couples to design stationery that reflects their love story, from incorporating winks to their first date to an illustration of their venue. Every couple is unique, so their invitations should be too. I love when I have couples tell me their guests have kept their invitations in the fridge months after their wedding because they are so beautiful. Couples can work with me on Save the Dates, invitations, and Day-of Stationery (like programs, menus, signs, escort cards, thank you cards, etc.).
Starting my career as a calligrapher, I quickly learned wedding etiquette rules. With modern couples, I feel as though the word ‘etiquette’ has a bad connotation, but as Picasso said, “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” Modern weddings still use the rules of etiquette, so working with a stationery designer that knows how and when to break them can actually give your guests a better experience at your wedding.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I would say that working with others that have a vision has led to some of my greatest works of art. Yes, I went to school for art, and when given a free creative license, I can create something unique. But it pushes me to be a better artist when I have either the wedding planners or the couples ask for an element to be refined or something to be reworked. And at the end, when that vision is achieved, it’s rewarding to us both.
Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
I’m fascinated with NFTs. I haven’t offered any up for sale – yet – but I’m curious to see what the reception would be to some of my original pieces of artwork. It’s only my 2023 business goals, so if anyone is interested in watercolor NFTs, stay posted!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.christinekirbystudios.co
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/christinekirbystudios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinekirbystudios
Image Credits
Ashley Dye Photography Lolumore Photography Photography by Lau Olive & Co Photography Meche Ausina