Today we’d like to introduce you to Christie Prince.
Hi Christie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was raised in Shelby, MS, a very small town in the Delta. If you’re not familiar with the location, it’s where the movie “Sinners” was based. I was a preacher’s kid, pretty quiet and shy, and also a teen mother. Being from a small town, I didn’t have many career options or resources at the time. I didn’t know I could draw until my Senior year in high school, when I was working on my senior project. I chose fashion design, and while developing designs, I used magazines as inspiration for my models and discovered a new hobby: drawing.
I attended Mississippi Valley State University. I started off as a vocal music major and had a full scholarship for choir. I was always in the Performance Art Building.
One day, after a long day of Music Theory Class, which I wasn’t fond of, I was on my way to the piano practice room. I passed by this class full of artists drawing. I felt a warm feeling on the left side of my chest as if I had found my burning passion. I took heed to that feeling and started the process of changing my major to General Art the very next day. Shortly after changing my major, I became a Distinguished Honor Student and a member of Who’s Who among Colleges and Universities. I graduated with honors and at the top of my class. I moved to Louisiana, where I lived for about 8 years and started my teaching career. I learned many lessons about protecting my purposes and those of others, and about believing in myself even when others don’t.I taught art after school at a Catholic School for a while and, years later, relocated to Houston, TX. After unexpected, torturous trials in life, I decided to get my teaching license. I started teaching again in 2020, and I’m presently a middle school teacher.
I also create my own personal art outside of school. My latest body of art depicts moments from my mission trip to Portland, Jamaica. I was blessed to teach art to some amazing kids in Jamaica.
After returning, I drew a picture of my travels that was displayed at the African American Museum in Dallas, TX, last year.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it has not been a smooth road. I have encountered many obstacles and challenges along the way.
I was a young mother, holding on to my dreams while trying to be the best example for my daughter.
I have encountered challenges of running into people who are really close to me that didn’t believe in me, nor thought being an artist was a real job, and how it should just be a hobby, and how artists don’t make a lot of money, or the stigma of the starving artist.
That’s when I learned how to protect my passion from those who don’t necessarily believe in me.
That was really hard because sometimes it’s the people you least expected, like a close family member and a former spouse. My relationship with God has helped me survive a domestic violence relationship while holding onto my dreams. I refused to succumb to the doubts and fears of others that are being deflected onto me. I decided to take my power back. After that relationship ended, I had to start over from scratch with a daughter who was a senior in high school, while healing. My art helped keep my emotions regulated, my prayers kept me focused, and I was able to come back to myself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love to draw and paint. I specialize in portraits. I love faces because every face presents a different challenge. I’m most proud of my art piece “Sincerely Yours, From Jamaica”. It was featured at the African American Museum of Dallas,TX.
What sets me apart from others, is that I invest into future artists through teaching, while presently creating my own masterpieces.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was a very quiet and shy person. I was more of a popular loner because everyone knew my parents because they were pastors and entrepreneurs. I was always interested interior and fashion design.
I was in the choir at my parents church.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prince_of_piece_artistry?igsh=MWdpc2Uxb2IzcHRqbQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14iJRSgbNUu/?mibextid=wwXIfr
