We were lucky to catch up with Christopher Grant Ward recently and have shared our conversation below.
Christopher Grant, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had started sooner?
I do, but you can’t really do anything in life until you’re ready. It wasn’t until 2016 I left my career in product management and UX design to pursue my music, study art and now, working full-time as an artist creating sustainable handmade aesthetic furniture pieces. I don’t think I could have left before then, I just wouldn’t have had the courage.
After college, I worked in technology as a product leader, developing web applications for large corporations and several startup companies, managing design, development and customer experience.
My tech career reached a “zenith” as Global VP of Product for Shutterstock, I led an eCommerce marketplace that made over $2m a day and worked in 46 countries and 13 languages, overseeing software design and development for a team of nearly 80. I had an office in the Empire State Building. I was at the pinnacle of my career and all I’d worked at and I was more unhappy than ever.
One day, I realized I’d had enough and left. I actually moved to Los Angeles first to pursue a music career. While the tech industry presented the best avenue to financial security, I always gravitated toward the arts and tried to apply that love to the corporate world. Ultimately, it left me unfulfilled, which is why I gave up tech for more
creative pursuits.
More important than anything was having a wife who loved and supported me, wanted me to live my true life. I’m so grateful Tosca really encouraged me to give it a go. We always want to help each other find happiness.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I create furniture pieces as works of art, meant to resonate personally with the buyer, and be celebrated in their home. My handmade furniture is attractive to my customers who want one-of-a-kind pieces. Something unique in your home, unlike anything else. Also, they want a personal connection. My commissions work as collaborations. While the pieces I make come from my inspiration and my interaction with nature, every piece is designed to fit the aesthetics of the buyer’s home, and to reflect them personally
Also, I think they are looking for something delightful. My organic shapes and forms found in nature have been proven to create low stress, high performing environments that engage imagination and creativity. Related, they almost always love my work because they want to buy Green. All my work is sustainably produced, using responsibly harvested lumber and zero VOC non-toxic materials. Compare this to furniture produced in large quantities, producing waste.
Finally, I think they see my work as art, as an investment. Works of art go up in value over time. They want the best value, not the best price. Handmade furniture will last a lifetime, an heirloom for the family. Ultimately this is less expensive than continually buying new furniture. Not to mention handmade furniture isn’t as expensive as you might expect
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
There are too many times in life where we feel obligated or persuaded to set our life on hold, to follow someone else’s vision. I was certainly guilty of that growing up. But as an artist, I can’t afford to NOT listen to that inner voice that sings and points the way. My success depends on it. I love being an artist because that mindset is built in to my work. Everyone expects it and I dont feel I need to apologize for following my own voice at all costs.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Really think about the ways you consume and relate to creative content. For example, Spotify gives $0.003 per play to the artist, while the average Spotify employee makes 10k/month. Consider paying your favorite local artist for her music even if you don’t have to. Or, host a house show at $20 per entry so she can make a living. Same goes with ChatGPT. Sure use it for ideas, but hire a writer, get the quality and expertise that only a human living in the world can give you, the context that can make your words come to life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.christophergrantward.com/
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/christophergrantward
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christopher.grant.ward/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cgward/
Image Credits
Photography by ThirdWallPhotography