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My Etsy shop is taking a break, but I’m still available to connect by email and Instagram.

Why is my shop on a break? Because I’m not fulfilling a long-held dream of living abroad! There are so many exciting (and challenging) parts of living outside of one’s passport country. The excitement of discovering your way around new cities, trying new cuisines, learning culture, and language. All of these can be challenges too. When I found out about an exciting opportunity to live and study in the Middle East, I embar It’s a fascinating and complex region.

I continue to create art here, like the cityscape below. I still love to connect, empathize, and encourage, just as before. Contact me to share some of your outrageous love today!

Reviews

It is so encouraging to hear how the art I’m making is making a difference in people’s lives; here’s some recent reviews!

The JOY of

Loving Outrageously!

When ordering: “This card is for my friend who lost a close family member. Before this happened she and seen 3 seagulls outside her window and felt it was a sign. Thank you so much for the beautiful card.” -Marie

After receiving the card: “Oh my goodness Christine. That is absolutely brilliant. You have a wonderful talent and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” XX -Marie

When ordering: “This is for my boyfriend who [tragically lost someone]…I have no idea what to say and I saw saw your shop and your words are beautiful” -Mimi

Upon receiving: “My mom received her card and gift today! She just sent me the text ‘perfect Mother’s day gift.’ ” -Melanie

“Thank you so much for your 20% offer! I got your card today and it came in your decorated envelope that brought a smile to my face… a little extra work for you that meant so much to me!” -Lennette

“Thank you for this message & your talents!” -Lori

“OMG…that’s frame-able!” -Judy

“Thank you so much, Christine! It just arrived today & I so appreciated your kind note. I know this card will bring my grandmom comfort. All my best to you and yours right now.” -Dylan

“Just wanted to let you know I received my cards today. They are so pretty! I love watercolor! Thanks for getting these to me as soon as possible.” -Lorie

Awakening

I’m guilty. It took George Floyd’s blood crying out from the ground MY city to jar me out of a mere acknowledgement that “racism is evil” to a place of owning my whiteness, repenting, and humbly starting my anti-racism journey. I know I’ll mess up, and I resolve to keep trying, and to keep the focus even when the headlines dim.

I’m angry. The pain and horror and weariness as we #saytheirnames and the fact that IT CONTINUES is PURE EVIL. It’s heavy. It’s exhausting. When will it stop? I don’t want to give up on this fight for justice, now is the time.

I’m hopeful. I see people uniting. I see change happening. I see love covering. Amidst all the pain, as we raise a lament, I also chose to hope that God CAN and WILL heal our hearts and land.

#BlackLivesMatter

Grief and creating

Grief. It came over me like a flood last week I found out my favorite children’s book author passed away.

As I processed my grief, I found I was comforted knowing Tomie dePaola was puttering around his New Hampshire studio, painting. Like some artistic godfather, knowing he was out there, creating, gave me strength. Now there’s an absence. Where his colors and lettering spoke, there’s silence.

Isn’t it like that? The ones who are left feel alone in the emptiness — the space formerly filled by their loved ones.

My dear friend texted when she heard this news, and asked me to paint a Tomie inspired card. This idea was such a relief to me! I could connect with him and honor his memory.

Her thoughtfulness touched me deeply, and this is the image before you. A dove, because that was one of his icons- a symbol found in many of his books. Navy, cerulean, turquoise for the waves and stages of grief. And coral for the sunrise— believing that though weeping may last for the night, joy comes in the morning.

I’m thankful for Tomie and how his watercolor stories were incredibly formative in my artistic journey. I’m thankful for my friend who entered into my grieving space. I’m thankful for creating, a hopeful outlet in this time where layers of grief pile on and on.

How do your process grief? What helps you? What’s hard for you? I’d love to hear because hearing stories and rituals help us to live and grieve well.

Let’s get personal

The origins of Love Outrageously go deep. So I’m going to be really vulnerable about my personal journey, and I invite you to handle my story gently.

After journeying through a rough season, I heard a message from Graham Cooke describing unconditional love. He said ‘my job’ is to be “outrageously loved.”

It’s one of those phrases that sinks deep into your soul, and you know if you let it grow, it’s gonna flourish and bring abundant life.

“You are the beloved, it is your job says the Lord, to be loved outrageously, it is why I chose you, and it is why I set my love upon you, that you would live as one who is outrageously loved.” –Graham Cooke

Graham’s words pivoted my orientation toward ‘doing my duty’ and ‘fulfilling my job’ to a whole different perspective. For me, God was like my dad: an impatient, disconnected, and demanding authority figure.

But that’s wasn’t an accurate view of God. It was my filter, and when Truth spoke into my life, the filter could come off. And honestly, I’m still on the journey of connecting with a God who’s bent low, speaking in a calm and peaceful tone, and connecting with me. Wow. It’s truth that has changed me and continues to change me.

That’s why I’m creating. I have a destiny as a creative to bask in this love, and share it out.

Whether it’s creating greeting cards, collaborating on customized wedding invitations, or building an online watercolor classes, it’s all a part of this creative journey. The show’s not over yet… let’s see where it goes!

Why do you create? What’s your source? I’d love to hear what motivates you, and what keeps you going. Cause you’re amazing and your story is worth being known.

Three keys to launch

space rocket launching — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

A little back story.

After years of pursuing art as a hobby, creating custom cards for friends and family, and much encouragement, I decided to share my art with the world.

What made me pull the trigger to pursue an online small business? I quit my 9-5 job.

Choosing a new path in life opens up new opportunities. My new path offered me scheduling flexibility and brain space to channel energy into being creative. But it wasn’t an automatic thing– I had three keys to launch.

1) Deadlines. Two weeks before Christmas, I hosted a December pop-up shop, which created the perfect deadline for designing, printing, and staging my cards.

2) Bravery. It felt vulnerable to share my artwork, it felt risky to make an investment in printing, and it felt scary that I could do it wrong. These fears kept from moving forward for far too long. With my newfound deadline, I finally had the courage to visit my local print shop (Peak Printing in St. Paul– they are amazing!). If I didn’t have the deadline, I could keep making excuses.

3) Support. I didn’t do the December pop-up shop alone. I connected with fellow creatives (a jeweler and supporter of artisan women’s goods). It was so fun to partner with these gals and just plain thrilling seeing people walking into the snowy day with new their new, handmade items.

Launching a small, e-commerce business is something I never thought I would do, but I’m finding it to be incredibly challenging and fulfilling.

What keys have worked in your life to start something new?