We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cristina Inciarte a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cristina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I firmly believe that in life, everything happens in its own timing, and looking back with regret serves little purpose. However, I must admit that it’s natural to reflect on how things could have unfolded differently. Hindsight is indeed 20/20.

When I consider my creative career, I’ve often found myself thinking, ‘If only I had started earlier!’ But I’ve come to realize that it’s never too early to embark on this journey. Even small, gradual steps taken as a young creative contribute to defining one’s style, creative vision, and overall story.

As artists, we often feel pressured to achieve traditional markers of success or financial stability to validate dedicating ourselves to our craft. I, too, have felt the need to ‘wait’ until I could fully support myself through my art or secure gallery representation to be taken seriously. However, I now understand that these are not prerequisites for starting a creative career. What truly matters is the evolution of self-expression and growing confident in our artistic voice over time.

The right time to begin a creative career is unique for each individual. For me, the timing has played a pivotal role in shaping my artistic identity and allowing me to bring a distinctive perspective to my work. I believe that neither being too early nor too late holds significance. What truly matters is refusing to wait for permission and defining our own measures of success as creatives.

By embracing the journey and starting when we feel the spark of creativity, we can nurture our artistic growth and gradually refine our craft. Each day dedicated to our artistic pursuits contributes to the shaping of our style and creative vision. It is through this continuous dedication that we find our authentic selves and develop a strong sense of artistic confidence.

So, to any young creative out there, I urge you: Start now, whenever that ‘now’ may be. Embrace the process, define your own path, and celebrate your own measures of success. Remember, it’s never too early to embark on your creative career and make a lasting impact with your art

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 am a self-taught abstract painter and digital artist based in Orlando, Florida. Being a second-generation Latina, I find inspiration in my cultural background and personal journey. My artistic focus lies in using color as a means to express emotions and innermost thoughts. When creating my unique abstract compositions, I rely on spontaneity and intuition, allowing the colors to guide me and evoke an “in the moment emotional response.” Through a meditative process, I carefully select the hues that shape each composition. My diverse sources of inspiration include television cartoons, song lyrics, metaphysical philosophy, current cultural events, and the beauty of everyday living experiences.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

As an artist, I recognize that NFTs provide a way for creatives to prove they are the originators of their artwork, inclusive of details such as the date and time, without needing to navigate government or bureaucratic paperwork. To me NFTs can be thought of as digital certificates of authenticity!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative to me is feeling good about my own creation. I think any artist can relate to that good feeling of satisfaction when you create a work that you are passionate about or when you are able to execute your vision. Definitely learning to be my own biggest fan has been the most rewarding aspect.

Contact Info:

• Website: cristinainciarte.com
• Instagram: @cristina_inciarte

Image Credits
All images belong to me as the artist.