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 11 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 editor of Ribbons, the official publication of the Tanka Society of America
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)
becoming an award-winning visual artist (my alcohol ink art, Backyard Haven, won first place in the Paws Backyard Wildlife Contest 2020)
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.
