We’re looking forward to introducing you to CRISTINA TUDOR. Check out our conversation below.
CRISTINA, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
As a live events fashion illustrator, I’ve had the honor of working with many amazing clients, including numerous luxury brands, celebrities and event planners. Some of more recent moments that made me feel proud are having the privilege of working with clients Burberry, Vogue Magazine, Jimmy Choo, Gatorade and ESPN! I am thrilled and very grateful to continue to be a part of my clients’ special events and to offer my bespoke live fashion illustration services for their guests!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Cristina Tudor, Los Angeles live events fashion illustrator and former architect. I sketch bespoke fashion illustrations of guests live, at in-person events for Rodeo Drive luxury brands in Beverly Hills such as Dior, Armani, Valentino, Balenciaga, Burberry, Ferragamo, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari and many more. I also sketch live at weddings, birthdays, bridal showers, baby showers, celebrity events and corporate events. I routinely travel for events across Los Angeles and to Las Vegas, Palm Springs, San Diego, San Francisco, and to any other destination. During an event, I take photos of the guests, typically on a first come, first served basis. I then sketch fashion illustrations of them, in the outfit they are wearing, from the photos I took, in approximately 3-5 min per person, on size 6×9 paper. My work is part performance art, and part entertainment for the guests: they can watch me sketch their illustration right before their eyes! It never gets old seeing everyone’s faces light up when they receive my fashion illustrations as personalized keepsakes from the event! I absolutely love being a part of my clients’ special celebrations, making their guests happy and capturing a precious moment on paper with my live artwork as mementos for their guests!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Something I believed about myself as a child that I no longer believe is that art is not enough to make a living. Growing up, I was day dreaming a lot, and my school notebooks were filled with fashion sketches and princesses in elaborate gowns, tiaras and shoes, all mixed in with my class notes. Drawing, painting, sewing, knitting, making my own jewelry and shoes, these are creative expressions of my personality that have always been a part of me. But as a child, I didn’t see the value in my creative pursuits, and all I heard around me was that I had to get a ‘real’ job when I grew up. I became an architect because it combined my love of drawing and my creativity with my strong background in math and science. During my years of practicing architecture, I started to draw and paint fashion illustrations and portraits again as a hobby. I soon realized I was coming full circle to my childhood interests and started to follow my intuition. In 2017, after years of soul-searching, I left the field of architecture to start my own business as a full-time fashion illustrator. Although I’m grateful for my time in architecture, which taught me many skills and how to develop my own design process, I’m beyond thrilled that I’ve grown my own brand and business as an artist by following my heart.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Fear of failure has definitely held me back the most in my life. It took me many years to make the decision to switch careers from architecture to becoming a full-time artist by starting my own business. It was scary to give up the perceived security of a job as a project manager for a large corporate architecture firm, and it wasn’t an easy or fast decision, not one I made lightly. It was also uncomfortable to realize my identity had become wrapped up in being an architect. If I didn’t practice architecture anymore, who would I be? Calling myself an Artist definitely brought up that impostor syndrome … But it was only by recognizing that my decision was a process I had to honor with patience and preparation that I was able to overcome my fears. I took many slow steps throughout this process, and I set up safety nets. I practiced drawing and painting almost daily to improve my skills, to find my own style and to discover what artwork inspired me the most. I paid off my student loans and, before I quit my architecture job, I saved up enough for living expenses to last me about two years. I’ve also maintained my architectural license current through the years with continued education ‘just in case’. Today I still fear failure in my art business new pursuits. But I remind myself to keep honoring my process and to take patient, small steps towards each new goal.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am currently working on a new project and direction for my art business. It’s in the early stages, but I’m very excited and nervous to pursue it, all rolled into one. I’m tapping into my experience of having started my own business by leaving my job as an architect, with all the doubts, fears and excitement I experienced during that time. I remind myself that this is a process. It takes time, and it takes patience to grow and to evolve as a person and as an artist. I truly believe it’s important to honor your instincts, to listen to your gut, and to also follow your own process of creative discovery. It’s also not a linear process, and through ebbs and flows, I am committed to following my own path until I’ve successfully created this new art project.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I have no doubt I am doing what I was born to do! I feel I’m completing the full circle of rediscovering my true creative self, all the way back to my childhood. Now that I am living my life as a full-time artist and fashion Illustrator, I feel the most fulfilled I’ve ever felt, both happy and content. It took me years to recognize that this is what I was meant to do, but this journey was totally worth it. It doesn’t mean there are no hard days as I continue to grow my business and to evolve as an artist. But knowing fully that I am in the right place, that I am the only one who decides which direction my business should follow, grounds me and keeps me focused through the tough days with more peace and calm.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cristinatudor.com
- Instagram: @thecristinatudor
- Linkedin: Cristina Tudor Art
- Facebook: Cristina Tudor Art
- Yelp: Cristina Tudor Art
- Youtube: Cristina Tudor Art
