Christina Knightley ~ Passionate Artist, Mom, & Homesteader
A Better Baby Book
Christina Knightley
If you know anyone who is expecting, or a new mom, do them a favor and get them her gorgeous baby book: The Barnyard Baby Book. Meet artist Christina Knightley, take a look at her book, and learn about her journey as an artist. Visit her website at CMCartillustrations.com. Our video is pretty short this time because she actually was going to the hospital after our interview to welcome her 2nd born to the world! Take a look.
No time to watch the video? Here’s the bullet points:
When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
“I knew I wanted to be an artist when I was 5. In kindergarten they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up and my answer was always an art teacher.”
Who inspired you? (your mentor)
“My art teacher in high school really inspired me to keep pursuing art. She would let me skip assemblies and hide out in her office with her. We would read and look through art books together. I remember her really taking a special interest in me and that really helped my development. I also really have looked up to Beatrix Potter. Reading about her really inspires me to stick to drawing and go after my passions. She lived her life against the grain and was successful in the end.”
Where did you study art - or are you self-taught?
“I never specifically went to school for art. Over the years, I developed my own techniques and spent a lot of time practicing. I think that, yes, it’s important to have an eye for art and an understanding of how to draw, but most of it is just dedication and practice.”
Why watercolor?
“I choose watercolor over other mediums most of the time because I like how easy it is to build up color and dimension. My style is also very soft and delicate and to me watercolors are more in line with that style. I also enjoy mixing watercolors with pen and ink and occasionally dabble in colored pencil.”
What’s next?
“I have loved giving people a cute and unique option for a baby book. So, currently I am starting another baby book but in the genre of undersea/coastal beach. I’m really excited to be working on this new project because in the market of baby books, there really aren’t a whole lot of options. I’ve found that baby books are really repetitive, have been taken over by digital cartoon art, and in a lot of cases are kinda hard to fill out. My goal is to introduce a line of baby products that is new to the market and fills in the gaps I have seen as a consumer and mother, myself.”
Where can we find your book?
“Currently I am selling my book in a few places. On my website cmcartillustrations.com, on Etsy at CMCartillustrations, and in a few brick and mortar retailers here in the Pacific Northwest. I post regularly with current artwork and projects on my Instagram at cmcartillustrations and on my Facebook page: CMCartillustrations.”
