We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chris And Anna Holmes. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chris and Anna below.
Chris and Anna , 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.
How We Push Through Imposter Syndrome (Even When It Creeps In Uninvited)
Imposter syndrome doesn’t knock. It barges in—usually right when you’re about to try something new, share something personal, or take a big leap in your creative journey.
For both Chris and me, imposter syndrome has shown up in all kinds of sneaky ways. The voice in our heads might whisper, “You’re not really an artist,” or “Who do you think you are to teach others?” But over the years, we’ve found two things that help us keep moving forward: our faith in a higher power and the simple act of showing up to do the work.
We believe that God gave us these creative gifts for a reason—not to hoard or perfect in silence, but to share. Our art is meant to bring peace, beauty, and a sense of serenity to others. We want the people who see our paintings to feel transported to a calm, safe place. And we want our students to know that they’re welcome in the creative process, exactly as they are—messy beginnings and all.
One of the most freeing ideas we’ve come across is from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. She wrote that she promised God she’d take care of the quantity if He’d take care of the quality. That simple shift—trusting the process and letting go of perfection—has helped us more than we can say. We don’t have to make a masterpiece every time. We just have to show up.
We’ve learned that you can be a full-time artist, especially in this age of the internet and social media, but imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear with success. It might always live in the attic. You just learn not to invite it to dinner.
The key is to keep going. Roll up your sleeves. Paint even when you doubt yourself. Teach even when you’re scared. Share your work even when your inner critic is screaming. The more you do the work, the quieter that voice gets. And over time, confidence comes—not from being perfect, but from being faithful to the calling.
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?
Spreading the Word About Our Work
My husband Chris and I are artists based in West Tennessee. I’m full time, and Chris—who still works a day job—joins me in the studio whenever he can. Together, we create original landscape and seascape art, often inspired by the peacefulness of nature and the joy of painting in the Bob Ross style. We’re both Certified Bob Ross Instructors, and we teach in-person painting classes designed to help absolute beginners experience the magic of putting brush to canvas.
Our mission is simple: to share beauty, serenity, and creativity with others—whether through our artwork, our classes, or the quiet encouragement that says, “Yes, you can do this too.”
What we love most is watching someone walk into a class nervous and leave holding a finished painting, beaming with pride. We believe everyone is creative; sometimes they just need a safe space to explore that part of themselves. That’s what we aim to provide—with kindness, a bit of humor, and a whole lot of happy little trees.
Outside of teaching, we focus on creating original art and fine art prints that bring a sense of peace, wonder, and nostalgia into people’s homes. Whether it’s a misty shoreline, a glowing sunset, or a quiet trail through the woods—each piece is meant to feel like a breath of fresh air on your wall. We’ve recently launched our very first collection of fine art prints to make our work more accessible to new and seasoned collectors alike. And for those who enjoy art in person, our work can be experienced at Art in the Village gallery in Jackson, Tennessee.
Whether you’re just discovering your own creativity or you’re searching for a meaningful piece to hang in your home, we hope our art reminds you to slow down, take a breath, and savor the beauty that still surrounds us.
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?
Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful things in our art journey have been:
1. A hunger for learning.
Painting was just the beginning. Once we started teaching, running workshops, selling art, and building a presence online, we realized just how much we still had to learn—everything from marketing and photography to setting up a website and figuring out email newsletters. The willingness to keep learning, even when it’s uncomfortable or outside your wheelhouse, has made all the difference. If you’re starting out, don’t wait until you “feel ready”—just start. You’ll figure it out as you go.
2. Letting go of perfectionism.
Perfection is a creativity killer. For artists, it’s easy to get caught up in the details or compare your work to others—but that’s the fast track to burnout and self-doubt. We had to learn to let go, trust the process, and show up anyway. The painting that felt like a “failure” one day might become someone’s favorite the next. Done is better than perfect, especially when you’re learning and growing.
3. Not giving up on the dream.
This work—whether it’s creating, teaching, or selling—isn’t always easy. But it’s the kind of work that brings purpose and fulfillment. There are long days and unexpected setbacks, but if creating is in your bones, don’t ignore it. Keep going. Keep showing up. The life you dream of might be on the other side of a dozen tiny, brave decisions.
If you’re just starting your journey: keep learning, keep creating, and don’t let doubt have the final word.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
A Book That Helped Shape Our Path
One book that’s played a major role in our development is Artpreneur by Miriam Schulman. It’s a fantastic guide for artists who want to turn their passion into a thriving business—without shame, apology, or the old myth of the “starving artist” hanging over their head.
What hit home for me was how clearly she calls out the ways we, as artists, can hold ourselves back. Whether it’s underpricing our work, staying silent instead of promoting ourselves, or believing that making money somehow “cheapens” the art—we’ve all been there. Her message is simple but powerful: you can be creative and profitable. You can share beauty with the world and make a living doing it.
Artpreneur helped me see that being a working artist today means embracing the business side of things—marketing, sales, branding—not as a burden, but as part of the creative process. If you’re serious about building an art career, this book is an honest, empowering roadmap.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://serenityincolor.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenityincolorart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Serenity-in-Color-100095710025157/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SerenityinColor-lt9be
Image Credits
Chris and Anna Holmes
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
