Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christy Corey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Christy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I first knew I wanted to pursue an artistic path when my elementary school art teacher, Mrs. Reid, bent down to ask me if I still wanted to be an artist when I grew up. It felt like she was invested in my art. How the question was posed made me realize that it was something I could choose and that I wanted to do that. I may have said I wanted to be an artist/veterinarian, though, because I was obsessed with dogs. This question makes me think of all of the other realizations I’ve had along the way because it took a lot of little moments of knowing. It also fills me with gratitude for teachers who encourage young people to pursue creative endeavors
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.
I’m an illustrator, artist, and educator based in New England. Much of my work is inspired by travel and food. While earning my BFA, I studied abroad in Florence, Italy and there I solidified my love of watercolor food and travel illustrations. We had a sketchbook-based class where we would paint in the markets, gardens, and cathedrals around the city. I had always loved working out of a sketchbook so this experience validated my process and pushed me to use new materials on the go. After graduating, I started my business, illustrating people’s cherished family recipes. I would market my work online and in person at local art fairs and markets. I loved learning about new recipes and connecting with people over food and art.
I have since expanded my art, creating travel-related spot illustrations, food-related magazine covers, and illustrated maps among other products! The wedding industry has provided many interesting opportunities for my art to fit into as I have worked on table settings, illustrated signature cocktail menus, and illustrated invitations and venue maps. It’s always an honor to be involved in someone’s life like that, even if it’s a small detail in the bigger picture.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
The purpose that drives my creative journey is simply to keep creating. Starting out, I thought there would be a cutoff point or a moment when I’d know I should pivot and conform to a more stable job or lifestyle. I had tough expectations on myself and ideas of what success looks like. Now, I believe that success in my art career means that I stay consistent and keep growing. I have heard stories of people who gave up making art at some point, only to have a breakdown somewhere in life and return to it, so I figure I can try to skip that part and just create a sustainable life for myself where creativity is at the forefront. Creativity is something we all need, and we figure it out one way or another. There’s also a quote by Brene Brown that explains this idea well, ” “Unused creativity is not benign–it metastasizes. It turns into grief, rage, judgment, sorrow, and shame. We are creative beings. We are, by nature, creative. ” My goal with my art is to show people how it’s possible to integrate creativity into your life, whether it’s drawing a quick sketch in your local market or sitting down to create a more intricate illustration.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
It’s hard to choose! Generally, I love that one never quite knows what’s coming next. You can’t always know what jobs will come to you, what opportunities you’ll find, what skills you’ll want to develop, or what inspiration will captivate you. Although this can create a lot of instability and uncertainty, when things work out, I feel like the luckiest person that I’m able to do what I love. I feel so lucky that I can connect with people and collaborate on new, exciting things.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ChristyCoreyArt.com
- Instagram: @ChristyCoreyArt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristyCoreyArt
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christy-corey-b32552a7/
