We recently connected with Crystal Despain and have shared our conversation below.

Crystal, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents were and are so vital to my art life. Growing up I always had access to art supplies as well as music lessons. The arts were always treated with the same respect as STEM subjects. If my parents were ever afraid for me going into the arts I never caught on. As an adult they have watched my kids, attended shows, and shared my work on social media, whatever I have needed.

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 a fine art painter. I tend to gravitate to human subjects, especially children. I’ve been painting for the last 20 years or so with some child raising related sabbaticals. I have 5 beautiful sons who inspire me everyday and a stellar husband who makes it all work.

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

If I could tell my younger self one thing about being successful it would be to forget about talent and get to work. I had this erroneous idea that talent and luck were the makeup of success and that somehow I needed to decipher if I had enough of either to “make it.” I know from observation and experience that the luckiest and most talented people are the ones who simply went to work and stayed there.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Art is so much about human connectivity. The more we get away from the plastic, mass printed, battery operated aspects of our consumer habits the more we can cultivate real experiences with the things we choose to have. I collect art because it represents a relationship or an experience. I have the privilege of housing a piece of someone else’s journey. Thinking in those terms helps me limit impulsive purchases in favor of something that supports another artist and brings my family something of real value. It doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful to me or the artist I’m supporting.

Contact Info:

• Website: CrystalDespain.com
• Instagram: @crystal.despain.art
• Facebook: @crystal.despain.art

Image Credits
Chelsea Ellingson Photography (head shot)