Today we’d like to introduce you to Christa Schoenbrodt.
Hi Christa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
It’s such a cliché but, like most artists, it feels like I came into the world with this natural drive to be creative. My early years regularly incorporated some kind of art and craft project. Drawing, weaving, painting, knitting, coloring–whatever whim I encountered would lead me down some quietly content and focused creative rabbit hole. I even remember pretending to be a teacher with the neighborhood kids where we designed invitations to some imaginary party that really confused all the parents in the neighborhood. Now that’s some truly geeky creativity.
The years of teenage angst found me lucky enough to have a high school art teacher who further nurtured my artistic interests. I’m still amazed how one person can completely change the trajectory of a person’s life and the renowned clay sculptor, Debra Fritts was certainly that person to me. She taught her students so many processes: drawing, painting, printmaking, clay, and even batik. Her enthusiasm and instruction inspired me to continue my studies in college, where I originally intended to become an illustrator but, with very little guidance in choosing schools and not much money, I found myself at a college that didn’t even have an illustration program. Graphic design then became my major with a large dose of fine art classes added as electives. During that time, I was so hungry to make art that I’d even sneak into life drawing classes without registering, despite working two and sometimes three part-time jobs as a full-time student.
One of those jobs was a work/study position with the college publications department where a fellow student and I got our feet wet with what it was like to be designers in the “real world.” We even won our first ADDY award (now called the American Advertising Awards – AAF) as well as an honorable mention for two college catalog covers we designed and illustrated with paper sculptures. We were incredibly lucky because we learned our trade at the cusp of the computer age and its subsequent impacts on graphic design. I can’t even imagine going back to those pre-computer processes but I’m so grateful to have learned the early analog techniques. It taught me not to rely solely on the computer–a habit I still foster to this day.
About 26+ years ago, after a few years working as a freelance designer for various studios and then full-time at a local ad agency, I started my own design business, Studio Haus. The freelance and agency experience gave me a great foundation of business skills but also taught me what didn’t really align with my personality. I tended to have more of a free-spirited creative approach than an agency designer was allowed to have. All these years later, working solo alongside some fabulous clients and vendors is still a major thrill to me. I continue to have the honor of creating brands and logos for non-profits and small businesses, designing books for authors and publishers, and developing infographics, websites, and more. I now even design and illustrate my own line of greeting cards.
I think my college years and design career gave me endless lessons in creative curiosity and taught me the power of hard work. Every client has called for a unique approach that exercises my brainstorming capabilities.
While there have certainly been periods of dormancy in my personal work, it’s only been in recent years that my ideas have begun to exceed the amount of time I can devote to all of my own projects. Much of this is attributable to being awarded an apprenticeship with Jeanne Brady (a fabulously talented textile artist) through the Tennessee Arts Commission and TN Craft during Covid. She taught me how to combine my love of block printing and the design of repeat patterns, then applying these techniques to textiles. This skill has become a big focus for me and I’m printing my designs every chance I get. I’m also consistently adding new digital designs to my print-on-demand shop with Spoonflower. Setting up a booth at pop-up art shows has allowed me to sell these designs in various forms (silk scarves, handmade bags, bandanas, tea towels, etc.) and I’m even setting my sights on printing for home decor clients, quilters, and “sewists.”
I truly love all the forms creativity can take. Integrating all of these processes that I’ve learned over the course of my life into my own work definitely reflects the creative exploration of my early years. I still follow the creative whims of varying techniques and mediums and have even begun teaching others some of these creative processes. It takes a lot of discipline but I’m thrilled to be able to live a creative life.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Running any business presents various challenges but I’ve learned that every person I cross paths with is also trying to succeed in life, despite its inevitable challenges. As a sole proprietor, it’s really easy for a personal tragedy to get in the way of business as usual. Death, sickness, break-ups, recessions, pandemics… they all can happen and sometimes getting work done during these times is a gift of distraction; other times it feels like a heavy burden.
Fortunately, the people I work with have often provided the most compassion and understanding when complex life events happen–so much so that many of my clients have become dear friends. Whenever necessary, I’ve learned to be authentic and honest about what’s happening in my life while continuing to get the work done. In turn, it invites others to feel comfortable enough to do the same. Building a business is all about building relationships; helping each other along the path to success is one of its many gifts. It took a lot of practice to learn how to approach any challenges as another adventure in life to learn something new about relating well to others.
A more personal challenge usually involves our culture’s seeming insistence that professionals fit within the confines of one skill (i.e. painters should just paint; lawyers should just practice law; graphic designers should not stray from their commercial creativity). I rebel against those confines with the knowledge that my other pursuits foster more problem-solving skills and knowledge in all areas of my life and career. In addition to design, I also make art, sew, and teach, among other things. These other pursuits only add layers to my skill set. However, it can be a challenge when connecting with someone who doesn’t know me and might be interested in just one arm of my services so learning to “read the room” has become super important. Being curious and asking good questions have been key.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
For 26+ years, I’ve been the owner of Studio Haus, a graphic design studio, and more recently have added surface design to the mix. I embrace many creative processes.
At any given moment, I may be designing a client’s logo, an author’s book, a small business’s website, an event’s ads, signage, and program schedule; or I may be spending time in my art studio carving blocks for relief printing and sewing my textile designs for wall art or scarves, or I could be creating new illustrations for greeting cards or repeat patterns for my print-on-demand design library. With a decades-long career, I feel called to design and create unique and eye-catching products and occasionally even teach others to do the same.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Adaptability, curiosity, and friendliness toward others have gone a long way to help with my own success—professionally and personally. It’s been a regular reminder to practice these things for a better work/life balance.
When I’m out of balance, I make a point to revisit these practices. It’s also an important goal of mine to help foster community and fellowship while building awareness of how our actions impact others in service to these things.
Working with people who not only value these ideals but also put them into practice has meant the world to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.studiohaus.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christa_studiohaus/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StudioHaus.ChristaSchoenbrodt
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christastudiohaus
- Other: https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/christa_studiohaus
Image Credits
Sheri Oneal Photography, Abby Wyatt, BARN (Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network), and Alan Bean – Bean TN Craft
