Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Clark.
Hi Christine, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My artist story started when I was old enough to hold a crayon, I loved exploring the endless possibilities of colors and shapes my mom used to say I had such eye for the arts. Fast forward to 10, my friends would ask me to come outside and play and I remember staying in my room to practice drawing, I told them if I was going to be a real artist someday I had to practice my craft. I would lock myself in my room like a process in a tower to sketch, and trash, there would be crinkled pieces of paper everywhere. Fast forward to 15, I reminded myself if I could just sell one piece of art I would be a real artist. And almost a decade later it’s almost hard to wrap my head around, I’ve sold thousands.
Perspective Art Studio was born in my high school years when friends would ask for drawings and paintings and I charged them $10 or $20 but the more people that saw my art the more people wanted a piece. I entered my art in art shows and galleries which was an incredible opportunity at 16 and 17.
When college rolled around my parents urged me to study something practical, they feared that I would be a struggling artist, dirt poor with an absorbent amount of student debt. I knew creating art was my passion and I wanted will to give that up so to appease them I chose communication but I also chose art. I double majored with a minor in business management, I was hoping that would be the trifecta that I needed to create a flourishing art career.
Through these years I made art and sold custom paintings, and continue to “practice my craft” as my 10 year old self would say. I took a job as a residential assistant and per our job we were expected to host 2 events a month. One day it sparked I will host a paint and sip party. (Mock-tails of-course) so I got all the materials and practiced how I would teach the painting, I must have painted that sunset 8 times and wrote a step by step list. It was time for the party and I was unbelievably excited and nervous. No one came. I genuinely broke down. I thought maybe this was a stupid idea. In that same week my professor prompted me maybe it was a good idea to switch out of the arts. “Something about my style wasn’t eye catching” he told me. Absolutely crushed I took time to process the words from someone I admired so much telling me I wanted good enough. Ultimately I decided I wouldn’t let the opinion of one man and one fail paint party change the trajectory of my future.
From the moment on I knew that being an artist wasn’t a choice it is a way of thinking and being. I am and always will be an artist I remember telling myself. It’s not something someone can take from me.
I hosted another paint party, no one came. I hosted 3 more a few came, I thought I need to be more intentional advertising, no one can come if they don’t know about it, I deigned flyers and put them on every door in every building in my university. I had a sign up sheet this time too, the sign up sheet was full in 1 day. People started buzzing about it and wanting a seat in my class. Sold out paint and sips for the rest of my time and a state school in Massachusetts.
I graduated in from university at the start of the pandemic in 2020. The world shut down when I was finally ready to go out into it. Locked away in my room again I did what I did best I made art. This time I studied people, drew inspiration from fashion and traditional fashion sketches. I posted a few on social media and someone asked me to paint their wedding guests in this style, she asked if she could send me photos after the wedding and I replied I can do you one better and paint them live.
She responded with a resounding yes! So that’s exactly what I did a a year later when her wedding took place. I am a romantic at heart so I truly felt so blessed to help her and her husband to be celebrate their love story with all their family and friends. As I started picking up traction with live wedding painting I locked into a job as a paint instructor at at local paint bar a few towns over. Auditioned and they hired me on the spot, told me “you look like you have been doing this for years, so natural” I laughed to myself thinking. I have been.
So there I was guiding people of all ages and all at backgrounds to paint a completed painting. It was so fun to have a microphone and cultivate a creative space for people to express themselves. From 5 years old to 85 years old and everyone in between, I learned everyone can paint. I worked there for 3 years and was live painting and weddings every chance I got.
I remember teaching a class of 50, the ticket price was $50. That’s $2500 from that one class and I made maybe $40 for teaching it: People would request me and also fill up my classes I thought the math isn’t adding up for me. I was approached to do paint parties outside of work but I had to turned them down because I signed a non compete clause. I was absolutely cornered and I thought it’s time to work for myself.
I quit the paint studio, hosted a few pint parties on my own and geared but to make the biggest move of my life, from Massachusetts to California. I packed everything I could fit in my car and drove across the country in pursuit to network, make connections and be a full time artist, like I had always dreamed of.
Fast forward today I have three major services of my business, custom art, paint and sip parties and my personal favorite live wedding painting.
I am incredibly blessed my story led me here I feel incredibly grateful to do what I love everyday!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows to get to the position I am today. So many people that doubted I could be a successful artist and entrepreneur. My friends questioned if this was the right path for me, my professors doubted me and even my parents feared I would not be successful enough to sustain myself financially.
In my first few goes at my paint parties in college, were absolute fails. It took a few goes to gain popularity, I could have thrown in the towel and took it for what it was but I didn’t want to give up.
I would say moving a year ago would be the biggest of my struggles. To start over and essentially 100% bet on myself in a completely new place that I knew no one was incredibly difficult. We as humans are our own worst critics so it was hard to not let the voices of self doubt take over. I was struggling to barley make rent but I knew it was temporary.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a live wedding guest illustrator who travels to weddings, setting up a table where guests approach me in pairs. I take reference photos of them, after which they can return to dancing, enjoying drinks, or mingling. During this time, I sketch and paint their portraits by hand, capturing their unique features, fashion, and energy. Once completed, I add finishing touches in my studio and send the portraits to the bride and groom. This service not only creates a memorable buzz at the event but also serves as a personalized thank-you and party favor.
Additionally, I organize paint and sip parties open to the public across San Diego. Partnering with wineries, breweries, and bars, guests reserve seats in advance and arrive to find all necessary painting materials provided. I guide them through a two-hour painting session, emphasizing a relaxed, non-judgmental environment where creativity flourishes. Music requested by the attendees adds to the personalized atmosphere.
Lastly, I frequent farmers markets and vintage markets, offering live sketching and painting for community members. Even those not attending formal events appreciate the opportunity for custom art at an affordable price. Interacting with tourists and locals, I enjoy hearing their plans to cherish and display their portraits, which adds to the joy of creating in such a community setting.
What’s next?
My future plan focuses on specializing in weddings, where I aim to make each couple’s special day uniquely memorable through personalized hand-painted artworks of their guests and wedding party.
Enhancing Personalization: I will continue to refine my process of live sketching and painting at weddings, capturing the essence of each guest and member of the wedding party. This will include not only capturing physical features but also their energy and personalities.
Expanding Service Offerings: I plan to offer additional services such as live painting of key moments during the wedding, such as the ceremony, first dance, or speeches. This will provide couples with tangible, artistic memories of their day.
Collaboration and Partnership: I aim to collaborate closely with wedding planners, photographers, and venues to seamlessly integrate my live painting services into the wedding day schedule. This collaboration will ensure that my artistic contributions complement other elements of the wedding.
Personal Consultations: Offering personalized consultations with couples prior to the wedding will allow me to understand their vision and preferences. This will ensure that the artwork reflects their style and enhances the overall ambiance of their wedding.
Artistic Growth and Innovation: Continual improvement of my artistic skills and techniques will be a priority. I plan to explore new styles and mediums to offer couples a variety of artistic options that suit their tastes and wedding theme.
Client Experience: Providing exceptional client experience will remain at the forefront. From initial inquiries to the delivery of final artworks, I will ensure clear communication, reliability, and a positive interaction with every couple.
Market Presence and Promotion: Increasing my visibility through social media, wedding fairs, and collaborations with wedding industry influencers will help me reach more couples who value personalized and unique wedding experiences.
Feedback and Adaptation: I will actively seek feedback from couples and guests to continuously refine and improve my services. Adapting to changing trends and preferences in the wedding industry will be crucial for long-term success.
By focusing on these areas, I aspire to be a trusted and integral part of many couples’ wedding journeys, creating cherished artistic mementos that they will treasure for years to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://perspectiveartstudios.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perspectivestudio.art/reels/
