Daily Inspiration: Meet Christy Brothers

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy Brothers. 

Hi Christy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I loved trying different things as a child. I taught myself to juggle and ride a unicycle. I marched in the band, twirled the rifle, made clown puppets, collected vinyl, and wrote in my diary. I wouldn’t say I was overly creative; I was just exploring my surroundings like children do. It wasn’t until my first year as an early childhood educator that I started to understand about my own creative journey. I made a paper Easter chick with my students one day and was embarrassed at my attempt. The lead teacher saw me struggling and asked me to hang it on the window. “You should feel proud.” I did not feel proud. I almost quit my job. Playing around was one thing, but putting myself out there – or up there on the window for all to see – well that was another. I didn’t feel good enough. Sound familiar anyone? I did eventually come to my senses and taped that chick to the window and thankfully, I haven’t been the same since. Today I happily own the creative gifts I was given. It did take time, courage, a lot of practice, and hard work. I gave up on perfectionism and now enjoy the confidence of creating every day and wearing many different creative hats. ~ Early childhood music/movement/art educator, published poet/writer, playwright, actor, clown, doodler, self-published children’s book author, and photographer. I hope my story inspires other creatives to begin (or to continue), doing whatever it takes (a piece of tape?) to follow their creative dreams. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yes, of course, challenges. I read somewhere that giving up all but one creative interest is the way to have a successful and meaningful creative life. I now laugh that I even considered such a foolish idea. Having many creative interests keeps me inspired, creating, and happy. I write poetry one day or take my camera out for a walk; the next day I doodle or read a play. This past November I took part in National Novel Writing Month. I wrote a first draft (50,000 words in 30 days) of my first novel. Talk about a challenge! 

The obstacles and challenges have made me who I am today. It’s not always easy, but I try to be grateful for everything I’ve gone through. Writing, especially, has helped heal many bumps along the way. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I do dabble in a lot of things as I’ve mentioned. I’m also a seasonal creative. I’m currently in a creative writing season. Over the past several years, I’ve had several writing pieces published and am constantly scribbling ideas from head to paper. I am a member of Wild Women Writing ~ A creative writing and performance group here in Columbus. I also enjoy collaborating with friends on creative projects. I was asked by a good friend to author her children’s book. We self-published MY NAME IS MAISEL last year. Another good friend and I are working on a documentary. 

One other creative season I enjoyed for many years was photography. I love street photography and I also started two photography businesses. I still do limited family photo sessions in the fall. 

What sets me apart? Ha. I don’t have an answer. I love being creative and creating my own works, but connecting with other creatives, hearing their ideas, seeing their creative wheels turning – that’s what I love. 

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I work with young children. Nothing is more rewarding than watching their ideas in action. Watching them create their own pieces of art with materials they get to choose in a room designed for their own creative expression. Watching them mold their own clay, sing their own songs, dance their own dances, and write and perform their own stories. Yes. This makes me happy. 

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristyBrothersPhotography1