We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Corrie Frank. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Corrie below.
Hi Corrie, thanks for joining us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?
When I majored in Studio Art (Drawing and Painting) and Art History as an undergraduate, I became reluctant to share my area of study because many people assumed I was pursuing art because I wasn’t “smart enough” to study anything else. I also heard things like, “You’re studying art? But that’s so easy!” As a teenager, these types of responses shook my confidence and self-esteem, but with time and a little bit of wisdom, I now realize that folks who made those comments simply didn’t understand the amount of time and skill that goes into creating art because it wasn’t part of their experience. I also more fully recognize that my value doesn’t come from what other people think of me. So, if people express their opinions to me today that indicate they don’t realize the value of an artist’s work, I don’t think less of them or myself. Instead, I see an opportunity to share what I’m passionate about!
Corrie, 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?
I wanted to be an artist for as long as I can remember. From a young age, I loved drawing and sketching in my free time, but when I first tried watercolors, I couldn’t stand them! I wanted to be like my Grammy, who painted glorious watercolor landscapes, but I didn’t understand how the medium worked, so I abandoned it for many years. I finally tried watercolors again in one of my upper-level university art classes, and everything just clicked—it was like my mind was opened to the world of watercolor and I fell in love with it. I’ve enjoyed painting with watercolors ever since.
After graduating from university with a double major in Studio Art and Art History, I struggled to find an art-related position in the workforce, so I reluctantly set aside my dream of being an artist and entered the library field instead. I thrived in my position as a Teen Librarian and was thrilled to occasionally teach watercolor classes as part of my role, but when the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, I was placed on unpaid furlough along with many other library employees. I didn’t want to sit around and do nothing, so I started creating art videos to post on YouTube. Something in my spirit ignited and I was reminded that being an artist is my true calling. I was thankfully called back to work at the library in June of 2020 and started evaluating what I needed to do to make my dream become a reality. My planning paid off, and I wished the library a fond farewell on June 1, 2022 to commit to my art business—Corrie Frank Creates, LLC—full-time.
As an independent artist and business owner, my mission is to share joy through beautiful art, and I accomplish that in a variety of ways. My signature art style combines realistic subjects with abstract splashes of vibrant color, creating captivating images of my subjects—animals and people are my favorites! I sell my original paintings as well as art prints, and I accept commission requests. Partnering with local organizations, such as libraries and arts and culture departments, I’m able to offer affordable in-person workshops to help reduce cost barriers. I also offer online classes so folks can go through lessons at their own pace. I enjoy helping others overcome their reservations about watercolors to discover how much fun they can be! In particular, my private watercolor silhouette workshops are ideal for anyone seeking a unique experience to share with friends, family, or work groups—I bring all the supplies to the event location so participants can enjoy painting in their own space and complete a unique animal silhouette painting. Additionally, I have hundreds of free videos on my YouTube channel that anyone can access. Finally, I have an online art shop as well as a vendor display at a local art consignment shop (HabilisCrafts in the Flatirons Mall) so people can purchase items with my artwork printed on them, such as mugs, notebooks, zip pouches, etc. I believe anyone should be able to enjoy and have access to art in some form, which is why I offer a wide variety of options to my audience.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I’ve always viewed being an artist and getting to share a bit of my vision and soul as a privilege. Having the opportunity to bring a little visual beauty, inspiration, or joy to a viewer is a gift, and I find that incredibly rewarding. For example, knowing that a piece of art someone has purchased from me will bring years of enjoyment and visual delight is priceless!
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
A few months after I committed to my art business full-time, I joined Matt Tommey’s Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring program for Christian artists. At the time, I was worried about the cost, especially when I wasn’t generating consistent income, but I’m so glad I made the investment because it has been an invaluable resource. The modules, assignments, and video content along with the community of fellow artists and supportive, encouraging staff have helped me understand what it means to be an artist and a business owner. In this community, the idea of the “starving” artist gets flipped on its head, proving that you can become a thriving artist through a holistic approach of addressing your heart and mindset, developing your artistic skill, and building your business.
Contact Info:
- Website: corriefrankcreates.com
- Instagram: @corriefrankcreates
- Facebook: facebook.com/people/Corrie-Frank-Creates/100086428497846/
- Youtube: youtube.com/@corriefrankcreates
Image Credits
N/A (they’re all my photographs)