Hi! My name is Christine L. Villa (a.k.a. Chrissi Villa), and I am a certified creative explorer.
A couple of decades ago, I was told that I wasn’t a creative person. I never should have believed that! Picasso once said, “Every child is born an artist. The trick is remaining one as an adult.”
As a child, I was my doll’s storyteller, scriptwriter, hairstylist, fashion consultant, and cook. I could pretend to be anybody I wanted to be. Everything seemed possible. As I grew older, my creativity waned. I noticed there was always somebody more gifted. I believed that only those born with outstanding creative talents could pursue a creative path. The voice that told me I wasn’t creative, thwarted whatever confidence was left in me.
So what triggered my creative rebirth? An asthma attack and a severe back problem that kept me almost homebound. My life had many twists and turns until it led me to unleash my creative potential (see full story here). Eventually, I fell in love with jewelry-making, photography, and later on, I turned to writing children’s stories and Japanese short-form poetry.
At the age of 51, I decided it had to be now. Now is never too late. Regardless of how old I am, I still think of myself as a creative person who has unique traits and experiences to share with the world.
Since then my creative endeavors have included the following:
self-publishing 9 children’s books (two have won first place in the Northern California Publishers and Authors Book Competition 2018 and 2019)
self-publishing my first poetry book, The Bluebird's Cry, under my own imprint Velvet Dusk Publishing
putting up a business called Purple Cotton Candy Arts to sell my children’s book and arts & crafts (now offering publishing services to aspiring children's book authors)
becoming an award-winning haiku and tanka writer
becoming the founding editor and video artist of Frameless Sky, a bi-annual poetry video journal
becoming the founding editor of Velvet Dusk Publishing (now offering to publish chapbooks and full-length book to established and emerging poets)
becoming the webmaster, social media director, and photographer of Northern California Publishers and Authors (NCPA)
becoming an award-winning photographer (two of my photographs have won first and third place in the Sacramento County Fair 2019)
learning to play a string instrument (ukulele), my long-time dream
Life, to me, has become a continuous journey as a creative explorer. Each day is an unfolding gift, offering opportunities for wonder, exploration, and adventure. Here, I will share with you my struggles, lessons, and triumphs.
Let's keep in touch and contact me at chrissivilla@gmail.com.
