We recently connected with Christine Sansbury and have shared our conversation below.

Christine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I spent years not painting and instead ruminating on this gigantic existential question: Am I really an artist? Even though it was easy for anyone on the outside to see that I was, internally, it felt like a humongous wall that I couldn’t peek around. I didn’t understand that my question really had to do with ego; namely, I wanted to know if I was a good artist. I wanted external validation before I even started.

So, to answer the question, I do wish I began my artistic journey sooner. I regret that I didn’t have the confidence to have seized opportunities for mentorship when they presented themselves. On the other hand, I have a lot more patience than I did when I was younger. Now, even though I still get super frustrated when a painting isn’t working out, I have better tools to handle my aggravation. I’m willing to paint parts out or try again another day. When I was younger, I would have given up.

The act of doing a creative project, whether it’s writing, painting, or photography, was what finally broke through the wall. My thesis professor in college told me to stop thinking and just write. Hours were spent on my couch pondering, “What does he mean? How can I write without a plan?” It wasn’t until years later that his wisdom crystallized: Just begin. Grab a paintbrush. Seize a pencil. The outcome need not be predetermined. Just paint.

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?

Born into the humid air of 1970s Miami, I emerged with my eyes set on the winged world. My first memory is of seeing a cattle egret in my front yard. I have always been fascinated with Florida’s wildlife and I paint acrylic and oil seascapes and I do large portraits of birds and other animals, like sea turtles.

I love painting birds and I like for them to have a regal feel. Like a glimpse into an avian court, a world where elegance meets the untamed.

Beneath the surface of my work, there’s a message — a plea to preserve the sanctity of our habitat. My canvases capture a world hanging in delicate balance — a world where the call of the raptor reminds us that if the birds are thriving, so are we.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I like to give 10% of my sales to charities that help to protect Florida’s delicate ecosystem. I love the Florida State Parks Foundation and the mission of the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation. Additionally, I volunteer at Moccasin Lake Nature Park through the City of Clearwater and Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue, assisting with the day-to-day care of non-releasable raptors.

If there’s one dream I long to fulfill, it’s the creation of more wild spaces in Florida where nature can flourish. Let’s inspire one another to adopt smaller lifestyles, consume less, and veer away from chasing quick profits. Instead, let’s prioritize the abundant gifts that nature offers to us all. By urging our Florida lawmakers to plan for the future with an emphasis on safeguarding wild lands from over-development, we can create a better living environment for everyone. With so many unique animals and plants in Florida, such as Florida scrub jays, Ghost orchids, Key deer, and American crocodiles, it’s important that we cherish the land.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I have a great love for reading, and I truly believe that books can serve as invaluable mentors.

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg. What a great title! In this collection of short essays, Goldberg delves into the realms of writing and creativity, offering insightful perspectives.

Similarly, John Green’s ‘The Anthropocene Reviewed’ has encouraged me to view even the most mundane aspects of my life through a lens of creativity.

‘Over the Top’ by Jonathan Van Ness has imparted upon me the importance of kindness, while ‘Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking’ has helped me embrace and appreciate my introverted nature.

In ‘On Becoming an Artist’, Harvard psychologist Ellen J. Langer explores the transformative power of mindfulness, revealing how it can liberate our innate creativity.

Ray Dalio’s ‘Principles’ serves as an excellent guide to effective teamwork and informed decision-making.

Though I’m certain I’m overlooking some of my other favorites, I should mention ‘The Artist’s Way’, which I found to be good aid in overcoming depression. Additionally, ‘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck’ offers valuable insights for establishing professional boundaries.

Ultimately, nurturing our unique creativity strengthens our abilities as artists, and, hopefully, contributes to the success of our endeavors.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://christinesansbury.com/gallery/

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/christine_sansbury_artist

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christine.Sansbury.Artist/

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-sansbury-artist/

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sansburyChris

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristineSansburyArtist

Image Credits
Artist Portrait photo courtesy of Ray Delconte all other photos by Christine Sansbury