Meet Christine Morrow

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christine Morrow. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Christine, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

Curiosity and creativity are two personal traits that I recognized I possessed at an early age. These two traits are vital for guiding me in identifying my sense of purpose. As each decade of my life passes like chapters in a book, both curiosity and creativity have guided me when I confront change such as in career pivots or personal relationships. I have a strong pull to understand the natural world, and this helps to engage my curiosity. I am a creative person, seeking ways to entertain and express myself. These two traits assist me in making decisions, through the twist and turns and highs and lows confronted by adult responsibilities. Early on, I aligned my thinking with the adage “Out of adversity comes opportunity”. This allowed to me to embrace a growth mindset and remain adaptable. In the face of uncertainty, trauma, and personal upheaval, my creativity is a path to healing, a testament to resilience, and a mirror reflecting the power of optimism.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I view life as being marked like chapter of a book. I recognize that love of art and science awakened in me at an early age and have been hand in hand throughout all the chapter of my life. A few years ago, I found myself starting a new chapter. At the beginning of this new chapter there was a bit of disequilibrium, and I was confronted with uncertainty. I relied on my two trusty traits, curiosity and creativity, to find my footing and move into this new chapter as an artist. I create mixed media art that fuses 2d and 3d with painting and sculpture. I use a variety of materials that include paper, eggshells, acorns tops and silkworm cocoons. It is thrilling for me to work different with materials that can artistically communicate a variety of interplay with spatial relationship and light. The world we live in is seldom flat. The three-dimensional representations I create in my work engages the observer with pattern, color, shape, and texture at varying heights and depths. Unlike traditional paintings, three-dimensional wall art breaks the boundary between observer and creator. It invites interaction. It’s art that reaches out, literally and emotionally. I am inspired by the Japanese art of Kinstugi, where broken porcelain is mended by 24 carat gold. This art is emblematic of the ideology of what was once broken can be made better. In my work the eggshells suggest fragility, vulnerability and potential for new beginnings or growth. The jagged eggshell rims symbolize life’s challenges, moments of stress, or sacrifices. Each colorfully painted eggshell, with 18 ct. gold detailing, speaks to the creativity, resilience, and strength to put forth one’s best efforts.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

My curiosity and creativity have served me well and allowed me to cultivate other powerful qualities such as perseverance, resilience and optimism. In this chapter of my life I found my rhythm, and a renewed sense of purpose. For anyone just starting out on their creative path, don’t wait for clarity or perfection, start small, with what you have. Give yourself permission to experiment, to make a mess, add layers, as in a conversation, and over time, you’ll be amazed at what starts to speak back.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

In the past year purposefully carved out time daily devoted to my art practice, not just for administrative tasks, but to experiment with new materials and play. I made it a point to get involved in my city’s art scene. I regularly attend exhibit openings my local area, and I am a member of a local chapter of a national art association. This widens my community, brings me fellowship with other like-minded artists and exhibition opportunities. Another area of growth has been the courage to exhibit and share. This vulnerability has reminded me that my art doesn’t need to speak to everyone, just to the people who recognize something of themselves in it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bellissimaimpressions.com
• Instagram: bellissima.impressions

Image Credits

Rebecca Olmstead – Christine Morrow Headshot

All other photos are by Christine Morrow (author)