Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elise Craig. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Elise, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
To be honest, I’m a bit of a late bloomer in the risk-taking department, but I’m glad to say I’ve come into my own in that respect lately. I made the decision this past May to leave my career of 23 years in public education in order to pursue my own creative endeavors as an artist. It’s definitely been a little scary taking a leap from the known into a new field that, frankly, I am still in the process of exploring. Although I loved being an art teacher, I knew there was a completely untapped side of me that had been ignored for a very long time, and I was at that “now or never” point of just going for it. And because I made that decision, I gave myself the gift of time that I needed to further this current adventure I’m on.
I had already started creating my own artwork in 2019 and was represented in New Braunfels and Austin, but I had to turn down opportunities due to lack of time. I’m now able to accept different types of projects I never thought I’d be doing, namely, murals, both residential and commercial. And to me – that’s risky! – and fun and exhilarating and challenging and all of the things that make you want to jump out of bed in the morning. I don’t have all the answers or even know where this is all leading, but I love creating and I love learning, and I’m confident I’ve made the right choice by taking this risk.
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?
As I stated in my previous response, I was a middle school teacher for 23 years (English for 13, Art for 10). I never really got into creating my own artwork until November of 2019 when I discovered a medium (alcohol inks) that just…. grabbed me. From that point on I learned everything I could about them, and experimented with them whenever possible. I decided to post a few pieces on my social media platforms and the response was, overall, very positive, and Elise Craig Art was born. Before I knew it, I had an offer to have artwork in a great little shop in New Braunfels called The Local, and from there, an offer to have my work at Blue Sky Art on Wheels in Austin. I’ve been busy creating ever since! I absolutely love working on my own “stuff,” but I’ve also found that realizing someone else’s vision through commission work in sometimes even more rewarding. I was hired recently to paint a mural for Laurel Grace Yoga, and was given a few inspiration photos, the theme of “light and airy,” and a lot of freedom. To have my client be thrilled with the result is really what it’s all about for me. I feel that my medium of choice, really sets my art apart from what people are used to seeing. Alcohol inks are so versatile – they can be bold and vibrant or soft and ethereal. I always include a metallic element of gold in my work which gives it that sense of magic and mystery that adds to its uniqueness.
As I stated previously, I’ve branched out into mural painting, and will soon have original artwork, prints, and greeting cards on my Shopify, and I’m very excited about that. Another goal that I’m currently sort of manifesting into existence, is to set up art classes for adults, in everything from repousse to printmaking to inks to sculpture. I want to reach people who haven’t created since they were kids, or thought they had no artistic talent, to relax, have fun, and find their creative side.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I’ve had to unlearn ….. I’d say it’s more about very conscientiously forcing myself and my thought patterns out of their usual rut, and to reassess situations, opportunities, creative techniques, etc., and to allow myself to start thinking, “why not.” In the past, I know for a fact I was a person who came up with all the reasons something wouldn’t work, or didn’t have the confidence, or just didn’t KNOW enough to know how to proceed, and I basically would shut myself down before I even started. As I’ve gotten older, and I’ll be 51 this September, I’m not that person anymore. I believe that if it’s something I’m interested in, whether it’s learning to use a circular saw, or studying Buddhism, or trying a new medium, I am GOING to try it and fingers crossed I’ll figure it out! Life is short, as they say, and I want to tackle as much as I can.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding parts of being a creative ~ there are so many! One of them is the freedom to choose which projects I want to channel my energy into. I also love the ability to dream up and visualize a concept, and then create said vision. There may be challenges in doing that, but the problem-solving, doing the research, and finding solutions are all part of the rewarding aspect, as well. Loving what I do is a huge reward. Not everyone gets to say that.
Contact Info:
- Website: Coming soon!
- Instagram: @elisecraigart
- Other: Email: [email protected]