Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christy Ross. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Christy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I always knew I loved art but it wasn’t until my art teacher in high school Mrs. Ralston asked me if I wanted to apply for the new design major at UCLA when I actually considered to pursue an artistic path. My parents were always very supportive of me studying art. I had been taking life drawing classes at the Atheneum in La Jolla in addition to taking art in high school. Back in Jr. High at Digueño Jr. High, I took zero period P.E. so I could take an extra elective: drawing, in addition to drafting in school. I would start P.E. at 7am to get that extra hour of art in. My parents held very traditional professions. My dad still works in commercial real estate. He is a graduate of the Naval Academy and Harvard Business school. My mom was a school nurse in SD Unified and was a graduate of USF and Boston University. They understood and valued the joy I experienced while creating my paintings and drawings and they saw how hard I worked on them and this is why I think they supported me in becoming an artist and art teacher as a profession.

Full circle, this year I’ve taught numerous painting classes for kids and adults. My paint & sip events are all over San Diego, Lemon Grove and Chula Vista. This year I completed two commissioned public works: one mural at the East County Athletic Area funded by the Clairemont Girls Fastpitch and a large utility box located just off Morena Blvd on Ingulf in Bay Park commissioned by the Clairemont Town Council. I also teach for two schools: St Didacus and Pacific Coast Academy. My parents have been the true champions of this journey. My mom especially nurtured my art teaching and art creating journey by always coming to my shows and events. Whether it was seeing my painting “Sunset Harbor” at the Surfing Madonna Art show in Poway or seeing my “Gilbert Castellanos” portrait at the San Diego Fair, my mom was always there.

Now she joins me only in spirit as she passed away this July from dementia. The last coherent conversation I had with her was sharing 8 x 10 photos of my completed Clairemont Girls Fastpitch mural located a mile from her house. She was too sick to go see the mural in person. She was so proud of me getting paid to do what I loved. I will always remember this conversation.

Christy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Not only did Mrs. Ralston (my high school art teacher) encourage me to study design at UCLA but she also encouraged me to get my credential in Art Education. After having worked at a Santa Monica furniture company painting celebrities’ furniture, I decided to follow my teacher’s advice and earned my credential from CSULA. After working at Legend Films as a color designer, colorizing and restoring black & white movies, I went back into the classroom. Fast forward I find myself now teaching art to kids K-8 at two schools and adults in my paint & sip classes at several locations in San Diego and at the Lemon Grove Library. I teach both public and private painting classes. My passion is making art education accessible to everyone. When I teach a paint & sip class I include as much about art techniques, art knowledge and encourage people to use their own creativity.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

This isn’t really a lesson but the saying “Those who can’t, teach” is not true. For quite awhile I felt some shame in not selling my orginial paintings as fast as my canvas or giclée prints. I was considering ignoring my teaching talent and just pursing art making on its own.

The asks didn’t stop for my teaching opportunities from the day my former coworker and friend Cheryl White asked me to do a paint & sip for her law student friends, my gut said to say “Yes!” When she asked. That was a pivotal moment. I realized I really also wanted to teach adults! The night was a hit and in my sister’s dining room I taught eight law students how to paint my painting “The Cloud”. I was hooked on the idea of teaching more of these events! If I had denied my love for teach art and embraced just selling it, I wouldn’t be doing what I am today: Christy Ross Art has events coming up at Old Town at Vino Migrante, at Novo Brazil Brewing in Mission Valley, Chula Vista and Imperial Beach, at Clairemont Coffee, Lemon Grove Coffee and at the Lemon Grove Library.

Recently, at my Halloween event at Clairemont Coffee, one participant named Brian had just finished his painting, he was so proud of his painting he stood up holding his painting and cheered! The whole class then cheered back to him! It was a moment of pure joy. The joy of sharing how to teach others how to make art now outweighs my desire to solely sell original work.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

A relative who sees my posts on social media and almost always says “You’re so talented!”. While it’s said with good intentions, I feel it dismisses all the hours I spend painting, drawing, taking classes, reading about art. I’m looking at my business (Christy Ross Art) right now as if I were training to be a doctor: I will invest as many years as it takes for someone to earn an MD and see where it takes me. I’m willing to put the work in.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.christyross.art
• Instagram: christyrossart
• Facebook: Christy Ross Art

Image Credits

Carlotta Addante
Nicole Sargent
Sara Hess
Amanda Woodley
Kristen Clarberg
Maribel Diaz
Emily Trejo