Meet Calista Graaff

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

Calista, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome isn’t something that will just “go away”, but it can be managed. I make an effort to put myself in situations that will challenge my inclination to feel like an imposter. Situations such as juried art shows where I am shoulder to shoulder with fellow artists that have made the cut to be in the show gives me evidence that my abilities as an artist are appreciated by the art world.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Drawing on the beauty of nature, I create unique artwork using acrylic pour backgrounds and oil painted realism to make what I call “abstracted landscapes.” This creates an image that embraces the spontaneity of modern abstract art while maintaining the appeal of realistic traditional landscape scenes.

My process starts with my travel adventures in the Pacific Northwest, hiking, camping, and being surrounded by nature. I document my journey with photographs and sketches and then use those ideas in a unique way, often combining the best of different scenes together to make an “idealized” view. I infuse a lot of color into my work because I feel that artwork should never be boring, it should capture the imagination and change its character throughout the day as the light changes in your home.

I use acrylic paint pour techniques to make the background of a painting. This process takes many layers of paint to accomplish the look I imagine. Once the acrylic pour is dry I will add a lot of texture using a variety of methods to achieve a 3D effect, which makes the landscape draw the viewer in. It makes you want to touch the painting and be a part of it. I then under paint the general layout of the oil paint landscape. I love using oil paints for the detail work of my paintings because it adds depth, consistency of color, and blending ability that acrylic paint can’t accomplish. I will usually add an unexpected item that will only reveal itself if you look closely at the painting. After several weeks of work, a painting is now ready for metallic highlights to add subtle glimmer when you view the painting. I feel that this adds an unexpected touch to an original painting.

My artwork appeals to those who love color, nature, and the unexpected. They want art in their home that brings the outside in and that will be a unique conversation piece to share with friends and family. I get so much joy from seeing people respond to my work and fall in love with a painting that will be in their home for many years.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three qualities that have had the most impact on my art career have been passion for the act of painting, a love of people and their unique response to art, and the adaptability to adapt to what resonates with the art market.

The best way to develop these qualities is to research successful artists who you want to mirror. Their stories of the ups and downs of having an art business has reassured me during difficult times knowing that it is normal for this line of work to struggle at first and that it takes time to develop an audience of passionate collectors. When you know the roadmap and what to expect along the way makes you less likely to panic when adversity comes because you know what is most likely to happen afterwards.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

My husband has been so supportive of my desire to make art my career. Having a partner or friend that cheers you along the way and talks you through the dark moments of running a business helps you push through. My husband is also very skilled in ways that I wasn’t at first with running a business since he has been running his own business for many years. He has shared his experience and knowledge with me in order to make my efforts count for greater success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ArtByCalista.com
• Instagram: @artbycalistashop