Spotlight on Chrissy Sparks Art
Q: Thanks for sharing your story with us! First, please introduce us to your work and your business.
A: I am a local artist and have been painting for 20 years. I sell my work online, but also currently have exclusive artwork available at Adiluna Boutique in Olde Town Arvada. Much of my work features celestial objects, constellations, and landscapes inspired by Colorado’s mountains and forests.
Q: What inspired you to start your own business?
A: In 2006, my husband was in the Marines, stationed in Southern California and we had just welcomed our first child. When my husband was away for training, I decided to set up my easel in the living room and create a piece of art for my daughter’s room. I already had experience with painting, but it wasn’t until this piece was done that I had the idea of being a stay at home mom and an artist. I pursued my love of painting, most often during nap times and after the kids’ bedtimes, and eventually made first sale in 2009, with my first international sale happening in 2011.
Q: What have been some of your proudest accomplishments so far?
A: I really love being a part of events and fundraisers that directly help local communities across Colorado. I’ve had my work auctioned off for an after school program in Denver, a fundraiser for libraries in southern Colorado, and have taught a painting class at the Broomfield Library to teens (with more classes scheduled for this Spring for all ages).
I have also enjoyed doing commissions for a former NASA astronaut, former NFL player (who is now an artist), many wonderful people within the science communications field, and friends and family who have supported me since the beginning. In 2016, a few weeks before giving birth to my third child, I had the opportunity to attend a NASA Social event to see OSIRIS-REx (NASA’s first-ever asteroid sample-collecting spacecraft, on which I have a photo of one of my paintings onboard).
I also did my first LIVE painting this summer at the Second Saturday event in Olde Town in front of Adiluna Boutique! I hope to do more LIVE and open air paintings locally and am so thankful for having had that opportunity!
Q: How do you stay motivated on difficult days?
A: I’m very lucky to not have my job as our main source of income. That being said, my sales have been much slower lately and there are days that I am feel unsure about continuing in my small business. I try to take a step back and remind myself that the difficult days are always going to be there. Less frequent sales do not reflect the quality of my work or my value as a person
I care about people deeply and really want to make the community and the world a brighter place in the way that I know how, by sharing color and sharing images that I hope bring a moment of peace and reflection. Or simply sharing what it is to be a human in this world and capturing the feelings of it all with a paint brush and paint. I believe that connecting with others who can share in our struggles and joys is the key to staying motivated on difficult days, and reflecting on what is important to you and the “why” behind what you do.
Q: Do you have any specific services or products you want to shout out?
A: You can find my work online at etsy.com/shop/ChrissySparksArt and in person at Adiluna Boutique in Olde Town Arvada. I would also love to share that I will be offering painting classes at the Broomfield Library (and possibly more local libraries) this Spring, so please keep an eye out for those. You can follow me on social media to keep up to date on my new work and upcoming classes!
Artwork: Etsy
Instagram: @ChrissySparksArt
Facebook: @ChrissySparksArt