Life & Work with Christine McGrath of Woodland Hills

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine McGrath.

Christine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Germany and started my professional life as a journeyman woodworker. I’ve always been drawn to working with my hands, understanding materials, and finding beauty in structure and precision. Later, I shifted into applied art with a focus on metalwork, which eventually led me to jewelry making.

For many years, I was a stay-at-home mom raising my daughter. During that time, I tried to build a small jewelry business, but without much success. Self-promotion never came naturally to me, and I struggled to find representation that could help carry that side of a creative business.

Everything changed in my late forties when my marriage ended and I suddenly had to figure out how to support myself financially. I turned to web design — something I had been doing informally for years for myself, friends, and family. A few family members with established businesses trusted me with their websites, which gave me the space to learn, experiment, and grow professionally.

That work led to more clients and long-term relationships, and I built a web design business specializing primarily in WordPress, while also working with Shopify and Squarespace. Today, I continue that work, most notably with the Topanga Community Center, one of my longest and most meaningful client relationships.

Alongside web design, I returned to my creative roots and began painting. Geometric art, inspired by patterns found in nature and decorative motifs of ancient architecture, has become an important part of my life and creative identity. While I’m still figuring out how to make that work financially, it has become a deeply fulfilling practice.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Starting over later in life after a major personal upheaval has been challenging on every level — emotionally, financially, and professionally. I had to rebuild confidence while learning new skills and navigating industries that were unfamiliar to me.

One ongoing struggle has been self-promotion. I tend to focus deeply on the work itself, and advocating for myself doesn’t come easily. The creative world especially can feel overwhelming if you’re not naturally inclined toward marketing.

More recently, COVID and the rapid rise of AI significantly slowed my web design work, making it difficult to maintain consistent income. To stay afloat, I took a job at Home Depot, which has been a practical and grounding experience, even if it leaves less time for my art.

Through all of this, the biggest challenge has been balancing survival with creativity — finding ways to stay financially stable while still making room for the work that feels most meaningful.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I work as a web designer and creative problem-solver, specializing in WordPress websites that are functional, clear, and tailored to each client’s real needs. I also work with Shopify and Squarespace, depending on what best serves the project. I’m especially comfortable working with small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals who may feel overwhelmed by technology and need someone patient and reliable.

What I’m most proud of is the long-term trust I’ve built with my clients. Many of them have been with me for years, which tells me that the way I work — thoughtfully, carefully, and with attention to detail — really matters.

As an artist, I create geometric paintings inspired by patterns in nature and decorative motifs of ancient architecture. The work is precise, meditative, and deeply personal. Painting has become both a creative outlet and a way to channel my tendency toward detail and structure into something visually harmonious.
What sets me apart is my background: a combination of traditional craftsmanship, applied art, and modern digital work. Whether I’m building a website or creating a painting, I approach it with the same mindset — respect for structure, balance, and the human experience behind the work.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I would say that it’s never too late to start over, even if it feels terrifying at the time. You don’t need a perfectly mapped-out plan — you need a willingness to learn, adapt, and keep going when things don’t immediately work out.

I also wish I had understood earlier that being good at your craft is only part of building a sustainable creative life. Learning how to talk about your work, ask for help, and accept support is just as important — and it’s something you can grow into over time.

Most of all, I’d encourage people to be patient with themselves. Progress often looks messy and nonlinear, especially when you’re balancing creativity, responsibility, and survival. Showing up consistently, even in small ways, really does add up

Contact Info:

• Website: https://digitalhandywoman.com and https://christinemodenhaus.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinemodenhaus/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinemodenhaus/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-mcgrath-digital-handywoman
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristineModenhaus/shorts