Quick Take: An Interview Series
Artist 1 in Our Winter Question Series: Christie Jones
Each season, I’ll be chatting with some of my favorite creatives asking them the same set of questions, offering a glimpse into their unique creative processes, inspirations, and challenges. Just as the seasons change, so will the questions, bringing new thoughts along the way.
This edition of Quick Take features Christie Jones, a Patchogue-Medford based artist whose work focuses on the coastal beauty of Long Island and beyond. Primarily a painter and printmaker, Jones has been branching out into new mediums, and it’s been exciting to see her collection of work evolve. In addition to her mixed-media artwork, she handcrafts watercolor paints from earth and mineral pigments, which are available for purchase at local small businesses across Long Island. She also teaches a variety of workshops, sharing her passion for creative process-based art and handmade materials with others.
When I decided to start this project, Christie was one of the first people who came to mind. I first discovered her work when she went by @swellanchor and loved seeing her pop up at markets and galleries around Long Island. Her love for the earth and commitment to environmental preservation have always stood out to me. As a fellow water enthusiast, her paintings always felt familiar to me, capturing the essence of the bay and what it's like to be a part of a seaside community. It was a pleasure to finally connect with her during my time at The Storefront in Bellport, where she participated in a few of our exhibitions.
1. How do you stay motivated during creative lulls, and how do you balance your creative work with other aspects of life (work, school, or personal time)?
“Over the years, I’ve created a process-focused art practice. This allows me to always be creative in some way regardless of whether my motivation is there or not. Since I make my own paints, if I’m not feeling inspired to create a collection of original work, I still spend time in my studio making colors. Keeping the studio a warm and welcoming place has helped me stay in a creative mindset. Some of my ideas for work came from those quiet times grinding pigments, dreaming about what I want to make.
An hour in there is better than avoiding it altogether, so even with school, teaching, exhibiting my work, and my personal life—I can create these small pockets to breathe life into my studio time. Small moments lead to big breakthroughs.”
2. What’s the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned from being a part of a creative community?
“Being an artist can be isolating at times. Having a creative community is so important to me. Since I don’t have 'co-workers,' my fellow artist friends are very valuable. Sharing ideas, building relationships, and connecting each other to our networks helps all of us grow. Leaning on the support and understanding of others is vital to me. We don’t have to do everything alone.
I experienced some major health issues resulting in surgery where I had to take months off of work. My community rallied behind me. They picked up and dropped off my work for exhibitions. They sent me money for food and made me meals. Their impact when I needed support still blows me away.”
3. What creative work from your childhood (a book, movie, or piece of art) resonated with you and continues to influence your work today?
“I’m an 80s-90s kid. The Little Mermaid, as cliché as it is, was my biggest inspiration. My dad was a clammer, and I was fully convinced he was King Triton and I was Ariel. Try to tell little Christie otherwise!
Now when I create coral-inspired artwork, my childhood self is thrilled. I collected shells and seaweed, like ‘gadgets and gizmos a-plenty,’ and in my art career, I’ve found a way to embrace that. I’m creating what my younger self drew, painted, sang about, and loved.”
4. What’s one habit or ritual that helps you stay inspired or grounded in your creative practice?
“The most grounding ritual that I have is morning pages, which originates from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. Writing first thing in the morning, like a stream of consciousness, helps me focus and start each day with intention.
Over the past seven years, I have consistently done this practice, and over these seven years, I have been the most creative I’ve ever been in my life. I now have volumes of journals filled with pages. Some are ramblings; some are the ideas that I made into reality.
This ritual helps keep me consistent, and I’ve noticed that when this piece of my day is not prioritized, I struggle more with my creativity.”
To keep up with Christie, follow her on Instagram @christiejonesstudio or visit her website at christiejonesstudio.com.
