Today we’d like to introduce you to Lizzie Christian.
Hi Lizzie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Coming from a very creative family, I studied studio art as an undergrad but have yet to take a printmaking class. After three years of teaching early childhood special ed in Minneapolis, I left teaching without a real plan. I started making prints in 2014, teaching myself linocut and learning as I went, and never looked back! Printmaking opened the door to other mediums, including painting on paper and wood, textile printing, and clay. My work tends to feature portraits, botanical motifs, and encouraging text. I feel very fortunate to have created a full-time career around art, even when it feels like I’m bumbling through. My small business is Rare Press, and through this, I can sell my work online and in person, stay active on my Patreon account, and teach printmaking workshops. Blockprinting is an accessible craft; fine motor skills and minimal materials are all you need to get started.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I am fortunate to have had a reasonably smooth journey as an artist. For me, the perpetual struggle of a working artist is building income. It’s expensive to be a human these days, and finding creative ways to pay bills is familiar territory for most self-employed people. But it’s hard to complain because the freedom I’m allowed is usually worth the anxiety about money. Usually!
Thanks for sharing that. Please tell us more about your work.
My work is relatable because it comes directly from my heart. Some of my prints contain text, a little piece of what it means to be human and feel emotions. It always brings me joy when someone connects with my work; it makes me (and hopefully them) feel less alone and more understood. I recently created an affirmation deck, and each affirmation is something I tell myself. When people can relate, that’s a beautiful bonus.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I appreciate my parents for giving me access to piles of art supplies as a child and allowing my sister and me to play and experiment. My parents and sister are lifelong artists and creative people, and being raised in such an environment has played a role in my current existence. I’ve also met some fantastic artist “coworkers” on social media and have developed friendships that have become invaluable as we progress in this field. And a big shoutout to my partner Ben for believing in me and my growing art business.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.rarepressmpls.com
- Instagram: @rarepress
