Meet Christie Smith | Artist/Gallery Owner

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

Hi Christie, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I consider myself a calculated risk taker. I played three collegiate sports- basketball, softball and golf. I became an LPGA golf professional and had a very successful 20 year career. It never seemed like I was taking risks because I believed in myself. I always would find solutions and could move forward to achieve my goals. When you play sports you realize you want always win – it’s on the days you don’t win you can really learn how to be better. Competing in golf is all about risk management. There are so many variables you cannot control all you can do is manage yourself. So I got a lot of practice in risk taking.
As a professional athlete you learn how to manage risks in sport and life. I have always had a No Fear attitude in life and playing sports. I learned you have to take risks to improve and compete. In taking risks it is important to always experience and adjust quickly. You have to know when risk will be important and sometimes dial back a little.
I retired 9 years ago from the golf and became an Artist/Gallery Owner. That sounds simple but it wasn’t easy recreating myself in a art world that I had no idea about. I had confidence I would figure it out. It was like learning to walk again. I had to take financial risk and be willing to learn something totally new and be an amateur. It took time and patience and 9 years as an Artist I am finally feeling confident and the Gallery is doing great in Laguna.
We moved the Gallery from Half Moon Bay in the beginning of the Pandemic. To some that would have seemed like a big risk. All I thought about was opportunity. It has been the best decision I could have made.
Sports gave me confidence and experience to know taking risks can have great rewards and outcomes. There will always be risks and obstacles and there is always a solution.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
About My Art- I am a Resin and Abstract Expressionist Artist. I use resin, acrylic and mixed media. People who view my art assume I am visual artist. I create my art with intuitive colors, emotions and movement. I never start with visual expectations and I think this allows me a freedom to create without expectations of the outcome. This allows me to create without fear of the visual outcome and is so much fun for me because I am not attached to the finished artwork. Interesting fact- I don’t even dream in color.
“Expectations are the Highways to Disappointment”
I started with acrylic 9 years ago and have been using resin for 5 years now. Resin is more challenging and requires more attention to details because you have limited time once you start. This medium fits my personality because I love the pressure and movement.
We moved the Gallery to Laguna Beach from Northern California because I wanted to be a part of the artist community here. The most requested artwork I do is Ocean Resin artwork. I incorporate real sand from Laguna Beach into some of my Ocean Resin Artwork. I also create artwork with sand for clients that have sand from special occasions such as Honeymoon/Proposals or their favorite beach. I love doing this as it has a special meaning to them emotionally. I do a lot of commission artwork and the more personal it is for my client the more joy and happiness it gives me.
Resin allows me to do memorial artwork for clients that have lost a love one or their furry love one. This is always such an honor to do for my clients and I know how special it is for them.
All my artwork is unique one-of-a-kind. I do not make prints of my original paintings.
What sets me apart from other Artists?
I think the biggest thing that sets me apart from other artists is my discipline and business experience. I am a organized creative. I use both sides of my brain. My years as a professional athlete having prior startup companies really helps with managing myself as an artist and managing the gallery business.
I have no fear in experimenting with different techniques. I am constantly trying new styles, products and this leads to new and fresh ideas. I love know my artwork has an edge to it. The best compliment I get from visitors at the Gallery they have never seen anything like my style of artwork. I always strive for evolution in my creative process.
How did I get to where I am Professionally?
I have been a competitive athlete my whole life. I know how to learn from mistakes and adjust quickly. I tend to be goal focused and patient to reach those goals. I never give up!
I pay attention to my intentions.
This is my second profession and I like to think that my first career prepared me in so many ways to become an Artist.
The support I have from family, friends and my clients have encouraged me from the beginning and is only growing.
Was it easy- If not how did I overcome the challenges?
Nothing is easy in the beginning. Success really doesn’t happen overnight. I knew nothing about creating art or the business of art 9 years ago.
We are all our worst critics and being mediocre is not something I accept for myself. I overcame so many challenges by experiencing and adjusting as quickly as I could. When something was not working I found solutions. Experience- Observe and Adjust.
What are the lessons learned along the way?
So many lessons but one that is always challenging to me personally is to be kind to myself. I am really hard o myself and this is not a great creative space so when that happens- it means I need to go have fun and enjoy what I have accomplished and remember it is a journey not a destination. Need to be more coherent with my heart and head. The difference of intellect and intelligence- your head is intellect and your heart is intelligence- when you are coherent you are using both. This is called the zone in athletics- it applies to everything though.
I don’t compare myself to others and I trust my instincts.
What do I want the world to know about me/my brand and story?
I create art from a place of joy, happiness and love. Art to me is another form of language and inner expression that I can share . My Brand is really about unique artwork, client satisfaction and integrity. It is never too late to do what you love and are passionate about. It is never easy for anyone doing something new. Fear wins too many times. People have so much potential and resilience- my hope is that my story inspires others get past the fear of failure- tap into their own creative side. Learn to make friends with that inner critic – be more kind to themselves and others. FEAR is only False Evidence Appearing Real- So Go For It

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Actually one of my best friends from Scotland is visiting us soon and we can’t wait to show her around. Restaurants we will visit are:
South of Nicks
Splash
230 Forest
Selanne’s
Starfish
We will be going out whale and dolphin watching from DanaPoint – Dana Wharf is an Awesome Company. They always are so awesome to go out with because they have someone who is telling about everything we see.
We will visit my Gallery and walk around Laguna to see everything we can. So many great art galleries and shops to visit.
Drinks:
We have great libations at home and a great view.
Yard Bar is a great place for drinks and lunch.
We will be exploring and sure to find new exciting great places for cocktails.
I am new to Laguna Beach so I am still discovering so many wonderful places.
We also love going to Newport to explore.
We have friends there and will want to go to Balboa Island.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First – My parents who by the way are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary this year. I was born and raised in Alabama by two of the most incredible human beings I know. Roy and Margaret. At first they didn’t know what to do with me so they just loved me unconditionally and that was exactly what I needed. My partner of 18 years who has always believed in me and supports me in every way. I do large scale resin artwork and that requires more that just me so she helps with supporting me with that and also managing the business of the Gallery.
Some people are blessed to have one or two best friends. I have at least 15 best friends. I call them my tribe. They all love and support me in so many ways. So Grateful and Blessed.
I have always been influenced by philosophy and science. I read a lot of Emerson,Thoreau, Socrates and Einstein. I am so intrigued by theoretical physics and quantum physics. They inspire me with what we are capable of and the mysteries of the Universe we don’t quite understand yet.

Website: unleashedartgallery.com

Instagram: unleashedartgallery

Facebook: unleashedartgallery

Yelp: Unleashed Art Gallery

Other: TikTok- christieunleashed