Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Kirby.
Hi Christine, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been creating art my whole life and practicing calligraphy off and on since 1994. In 2015, I offered to do envelope calligraphy for a friend’s wedding, and it picked up from there. I started taking on some smaller weddings, and before I knew it, I was working to create wedding stationery for couples across Central Florida and the US. I opened my studio named Carousel Atelier Calligraphy as a tribute to my grandmother (she taught me calligraphy and collected carousel horses, some of which I now own).
In the major life pivot of 2020, I rebreanded myself in the Christine Kirby Studios that you see today. I wanted to have a studio name that was a little easier to pronounce and personal, so when you receive an email from me, you already know that you’re talking to the designer that will be creating your art. Under my new name, I have expanded my offerings to include full watercolor and calligraphy invitation designs (for weddings and other of life’s important events) as well as taking on some art licensing clients. I am looking to add a greeting card subscription and wrapping paper to my shop in the coming months.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The phrase “starving artist” exists for a reason! It’s not always been smooth. I still work a day job, and a couple of years ago, I took a job in which I needed to choose between continuing to grow my business or spending that time with my family. The family won, so I didn’t get the chance to really pour my heart and soul into what I do. During the quarantine of 2020, weddings were put on hold. I spent that time building a portfolio that I showcased on RedBubble and Society6.
I also think that as a visual artist, there is a requirement to include a level of self-doubt. I’ve spent years struggling with my art being “good enough” (and since art tends to be personal, that doubt extended to myself). It’s been a process to overcome that. To love and accept the art I create in order to build up the confidence to share my art with others isn’t always easy. I started to make time for myself to take online art classes. Returning to some of the basics that I learned in school and creating art for myself has been freeing, and I can bring those principles with into the next commissioned piece. Going through my own journey has pushed me to become a proponent that art isn’t just for those that are “good” at it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a watercolor and calligraphy artist. I love to create cards and designs that speak to people. I specialize in a romantic style that is perfect for wedding stationery (from save the dates and invitations from escorting cards, signature drink signs, and thank you cards).
I am working on building my reputation as a venue illustrator. I have my bachelor’s degree in interior design and have enjoyed drawing and painting architecture since high school, so using my expertise in buildings has really let me seamlessly capture the places that hold deep meanings for others. I did quite a few house portraits right before Christmas, and those were such an awesome way to hold on to a childhood home full of dreams and memories.
I think that I’m most proud when I deliver the final designs to a client and they are overcome with emotion and say that it’s even better than they could possibly imagine. For my wedding couples, I love to hear about their guests keeping their invitations on their fridges long after their wedding because they are simply too pretty to put away.
Since I’m still working a day job and fitting in marriage and motherhood into my life, I have to be organized and focused on the time that I have to dedicate to my studio. I’ve developed my own system to streamline processes and capture the information I need in order to efficiently create a design. Being agile enough to go from idea to design to finished print in a matter of days and communicating every step of the way helps instill ease in my clients.
I am also enjoy knowing wedding etiquette details. While a lot of today’s couples don’t see themselves as “old fashioned,” it’s a lot easier to know the rules of etiquette so that when we decide to deviate from them, there is a purpose (not just breaking the rules to break them).
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I wouldn’t say that I’m a very big risk-taker. I’ve been a small business owner in some form or fashion since 2007. My day job has mostly been in contract management, so I’m professionally trained to identify and mitigate business risk, and I think that crosses into my creative business practices. One day, I do dream of being able to open my own studio and shop while taking this full time. I know that will be the biggest leap of faith for me in this dream, but I know that it’ll be worth it.
Contact Info:
- Email: christinekirbystudios@gmail.com
- Website: christinekirbystudios.com
- Instagram: @christinekirbystudios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinekirbystudios
Image Credits
Daylin Lavoy Anne McDonald Blair Bush Jamie Reinhart
