CREATOR'S CORNER - Anais Chartschenko

 Good morning, everyone!

Today, I'm launching a brand new series. Because of all that's been going on here at home, I may not get this rolling as fast as I'd like but I hope to introduce you to a creator the 4th Thursday of each month!

Aside from introducing you to a creator, we'll peek inside their studio and see WHERE they create all the things and maybe get an organization tip or two along the way.

Let me introduce you to Anais Chartschenko:

Anais Chartschenko

I had to do some switching around on the guest list and the more I thought about it, the more I thought Anais was the perfect person to kick this off. Why? Because she has just been involved with an amazing children's book project I'll tell you more about in a minute. 

I first met Anais earlier this month through a mutual friend on twitter, Gregg McBride. A man talented in his own right on so many levels. I feel blessed to now only call him friend but to have met this lovely lady in cyberspace, as well.

Here's a bit about Anais:

Anaïs Chartschenko bee-lieves that persistence and enthusiasm can transform into talent and luck. After being told by an English teacher that she couldn't write, she went on to publish multiple books (The Weightless One and Sailing Toward Us). She was advised she shouldn't dream of pursuing something as complex as opera, and so she learned to sing arias in several languages. She was informed quite firmly that being an illustrator was out of the question―yet this is her first illustrated children's book. People also said she would never grow to be 5 feet tall...well, can't win 'em all! 

How Fun!  Anais is the perfect example of "don't tell me what I can't do!" She'll show you it can be done - well, except for the getting taller part ;-)

Let's jump into the Q & A:

What got you started on the creative path?

There was never any other path for me. I wrote stories, drew pictures, and started banging on a piano as a child. I probably gave a lot of people headaches.

How has your creativity evolved?

I learned discipline. Without that, it is very difficult to turn creativity into a long-lasting habit. 

What do you enjoy most about your creative path?

The best part of being on the creative path are all the other artists you meet along the way. I've met other writers I admire like Jacopo della Quercia, JD Estrada, Eva Leigh, and Assaph Mehr.  I've played music with all sorts of musicians. I study opera with Kristina Jones, a world traveled leading lady opera singer. Knowing her has made my life richer, and of course made me a better artist.

What inspires you?

I am inspired by a lot of things, probably the same things that inspire most artists. Art, music, literature, life. For Biron the Bee Who Couldn't, a children's book I illustrated, written by Gregg McBride, I looked at a lot of nature photography. I read and watched everything bee related that I could so that I could design a bee that was unique to our book. I thought about the art I love looking at again and again, like the Sandman comics by Neil Gaiman- particularly artists David Mack and Dave McKean- and Yoshitaka Amano's artwork (Final Fantasy, Vampire Hunter D).

I try to blend all my inspiration together to create something new.

NOTE: To find out more about Gregg McBride and their book - Biron the Bee Who Couldn't - check out the feature on them on my author blog - CLICK HERE:

When did you move from hobby to business and what initiated the transition?

My first job as a teenager was painting cars for demolition derby. I painted a giant squirrel on the roof of a tow truck so people in the stands could see it. It was as fun for me as it was for the driver to plan the design of their car.  I've done different jobs in the arts over the years. Part of the reason is that it was the area I excelled at and the other factor is I was willing to do off the beaten path projects. 

What do you love most about your space and would you change anything?

I love that I always have a fully stocked tea and coffee cupboard. I don't have a dedicated office. I set up shop at my kitchen table, a nice round glass table that lets me zone out on the tile below. I like that the room has nice windows, and I have aloe vera growing around me complete with garden gnomes. It is a miniature indoor garden. I have written books there, so it works out alright.

I would like to get a sit-stand desk with adjustable height. I've also seen crafting closets like Create Room which I think would be nice for storing art supplies. 

What 3 things do you feel are important when planning a space?

I mostly think about practical considerations. I want to have enough outlets. I want to have a space to put my tea cup. I want to be close to the bathroom. 

What is your best organization tip?

I'm not very organized. It is something I have to work at. I try to keep all my music books together, all my paints together, and so on. That helps when looking for things. I have a journal I use for keeping track of word count deadlines and that sort of thing. I folders for each book I write with all the content relevant to each book in its folder- character sheets, setting, research, manuscript versions, ect. Having them in groups like that saves time for me.

What is your best tip for anyone wanting to turn their craft into a business?

It as a business. People in the arts are often expected to give away their work for free. They are given the promise of exposure or reminded art is created from passion. But exposure and passion don't pay the bills. Know the value of your work.

You will find Anais Chartschenko by following any of the social medai links below:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM   TWITTER   YOUTUBE

I'm not sure who our guest will be next month so stay tuned. I may not have blog posts next week. That will be Bob's last week home and we've had almost no time for just the two of us in two months. I do have a special announcement coming up July 1 as well as a slew of projects for the entire month so don't go too far!

Creative Blessings!

~Kelly