Daily Inspiration: Meet Christina Shurts

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Shurts

Hi Christina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Christina Shurts. I grew up mostly in Southern California with a sprinkle of Charlotte, NC. My family was the most arty Brady bunch group you could imagine. Our parents all worked in creative or service fields and this made for a lively family environment on either coast. Dad would take me on auditions and sales calls while singing songs in the car in between. My mom would let me tag along as she led the Human Resources team of a California Gold Rush themed restaurant and would select big personalities of their newest service teams. Either way, I had the privilege of being back stage of many a kitchen, Printmaking factory, stage and film sets. Having access like this and meeting so many types of people changed the way I view the world. It opened possibilities to my idea on limitations that no other matter of schooling could.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Finding my way has had many hiccups. I tend to wear a coat of armor to avoid showing my vulnerable side. I’d rather help others than be helped, although I’m working on it. Since high school I have been an athlete and having a game face became a necessity. My best of friends help me navigate this as it can be great in the court but limiting in the real world.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an artist and educator who has exhibited widely with my painting practice and also offer a public arts practice of mosaic that has a community engagement component. I’m most proud of sharing knowledge of art-making and art-thinking to the many students I serve as an adjunct lecturer and visiting artist. I’ve reached 1,000’s of students over the past 5 years and aim to share the expansive vision that my mentor/ collaborator, artist and step brother, Tom Thoune and myself have built. We share a vision of art-making that is sustainable, serves the public, and inspirational. We create projects that offer this and build community.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Tenacity, being present and just showing up has served me well. Opportunities that were beyond my expectations have been handed to me and I was able to step up to the projects. Conversely, I’ve been knocked down and banged up so very many times, yet, I find support through community and to somehow get up. I play a long game and I’m patient that life’s best days may be ahead of me. I have not had the type of success I imagined, it’s had many sidesteps. Yet there have been some fantastic experiences and I know I offer something unique. I’ve traveled the world and my family is healthy and safe. I’m lucky for meeting interesting people thanks to my art practice. That’s even more than that little Brady Bunch kid I used to be could have imagined.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.christinashurts.com/
• Instagram: Christina_shurts_art
• Youtube: @chrisTinaShurts
• Other: artgifter