Meet Christie Toussaint | Visual Artist & Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christie Toussaint and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christie, what’s your definition for success?
Success to me is a process. It’s not static. It can always change as one evolves but most importantly, it’s peace of mind. It’s about knowing that you’re achieving what you’ve been called to do while making a positive impact on those around you. It’s about being aligned with your purpose.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a modern mixed media artist. I would say what differs my work from others is my unique style and technique which is to combine the classic style and colors of Haitian art with the contemporary. Whilst my initial mediums of choice were oil and acrylic paints, I discovered a few years ago the joy of working with myriads of unconventional tools and materials in which I find unrestrictive to create a true body of work that speaks to who I am. My work is also created from my own experiences so it serves as my own personal form of visual diary. I think I’m most proud of who I am becoming as a person and as an artist. I’m thankful that my work is constantly evolving and I can’t wait to see where my imagination takes me.

My journey as a self-taught artist has definitely not been easy. There have been quite some times where I’ve doubted and questioned myself a lot and my work. So I’m constantly learning to quiet those negative thoughts and self-doubts by journaling and affirming myself each day. I even use sticky notes around my studio and on my mirrors to serve as reminders that my work is valid. That I have what it takes and that my creativity matters.

I’ve learned quite a lot along the way but to highlight a few, I would say you can never truly know what you’re capable of until you challenge yourself. Until you take the first step. Second, the work begins by serving. By volunteering, serving others, and being open to taking on a variety of assignments, you get opportunities to learn, to grow, and to explore new ventures that you wouldn’t initially think of. What I hope the world to know about my brand and my story is that all you have is all you need. It’s already within you. Looking back on my journey as an artist, I realized that I would always start with what I have. That’s how I started to tap into my creativity. I didn’t major in fine art. Yet I learned. I studied. I experimented and practiced often with different techniques to express my unique perspective as an artist.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I currently live in West Palm Beach. It’s a city known for its vibrant history and culture. There are a variety of things to do and to explore. If my best friend were to visit, I would take them downtown to spend some time at CityPlace and for a stroll around Palm Beach island to explore perhaps Worth avenue. I would definitely plan a visit to the Norton Museum for there’s always something to look forward to with its impeccable collections and exhibitions. I would also plan on visiting the Flagler Museum which is quite a gilded age splendor. For brunch, I would recommend Elisabetta’s Ristorante. Their Pandoro French Toast is super delicious. For lunch, I would suggest grabbing a bite at Pizza al Fresco, the service is outstanding and their pizza is excellent. For dinner, I would certainly recommend RH Rooftop Restaurant for its exceptional service and ambience. For taco Tuesday, I would take us to El Camino. The food is delicious and the drinks are superb. To have a taste of Haitian cuisine, I would definitely recommend Chez Bana Catering and Nette’s Fresh Fritay. Their food is amazing. And to spend some quality time in nature, I would suggest paying a visit to Mounts Botanical Garden perhaps on a Saturday morning. It’s absolutely beautiful.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give a special shoutout to my dear friends, my family, and my collectors. You inspire me more than you know. Thank you for all your words of encouragement. Thank you for investing your time and your resources. Thank you for your ongoing support. Thank you for believing in me. Without you, my creative journey wouldn’t be possible.

Website: www.artctoussaint.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artctoussaint/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christie.toussaint.59/

Other: Email: artctoussaint@gmail.com

Image Credits
Photos by K&H Digital Photography