We’re looking forward to introducing you to Christina Harcar. Check out our conversation below.
Christina, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
My kids make me laugh every day. A few weeks ago, I was in the car with my 3 year old. I started singing along to a song we like and he got upset and told me to stop singing because it was “making his brain hurt.” Kids are always so honest and curious. I try to write down the funny things they say because it’s so fun to look back on. When my 8 year old was 4 he asked me about UFOs. After I explained it to him he paused, thought about it for a second and said “if a baby alien’s UFO breaks, I will give him one of our cars.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Christina Harcar and I’m a wife, mother of 2 boys, artist, and designer. I create artwork and design home interiors to help people notice and appreciate the beauty in their surroundings. Through design and art, I’m able to share joy and connection. I’ve been painting since I was a child and I’ve been doing interior design professionally since 2011. Recently, I’ve added t-shirt design to my bag of tricks. I’ve started a collection of elegant and artistic t-shirts that reflect the love of our savior, Jesus Christ, and the abundance of peace that he desires for us.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
When I was younger, I believed that my worth and my identity were tied to what I could do, what people thought about me, and what I was good at or not good at. As I grew older, I also gave power to my peers, teachers, and coaches to tell me who I was. As I’ve continued to learn and grow and study, I’ve come to the understanding that my creator is the one who gives me my identity and my purpose, and it is continually being revealed to me. When I operate in my true, God-given identity, it allows me to live in a more confident, peaceful, and trusting way. I’m currently working on illustrations for a children’s book about that I’ve written about finding our true identity from God.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has taught me more about the meaning of life than any success ever has. In 2018 we found out we were pregnant with our second child. We were over the moon with excitement. But then, when I was 21 weeks pregnant, our baby girl went to Heaven. It was emotionally, mentally, and physically traumatic for our whole family, to say the least. Even in our grief, we decided we wanted to keep trying to expand our family; yet, our plans were fruitless for the next four years as we experienced secondary infertility. Eventually we were blessed with another baby who is now 3 and we now feel so blessed with our two boys; but, that season of grief and waiting was really hard. We were unsure if our dreams would ever come to fruition.
These are the lessons I learned during this extremely emotional time: First, I learned that joy can be restored. I thought that I would never be able to go back to the happy life we had before loss, and that’s true, you can’t go back, BUT, I’ve experienced life after loss and it’s still joyful and beautiful in an even deeper and more meaningful way. The second lesson I learned is that connecting with people going through similar trials is crucial. I’m grateful to those who share their stories so that others don’t feel so alone. I think it’s our duty to use our trials and experiences to come along side of others who are going through similar struggles and to offer them a lifeline. I don’t think everyone has to share their story publicly, but if we can help one person by sharing our experience them, it can make a world of difference. The last, and probably most important, lesson that I learned that God is always there for us. No matter how far we feel from him. He shows up in many different ways. Friendships, songs, conversations, hugs, and of course in his Word. We have a Father who loves us so much that he gave us guidelines for how to live the happiest and most abundant life, and even when we fail, or the enemy attacks us, the Lord can use it for our good.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think sometimes the art and design worlds can take themselves too seriously. I’m a big proponent of artwork and interiors being fun and expressive. Some art critics only give credibility to artwork that makes a bold political or generational statement. In art school I was told that my art was “fine, if I wanted to paint for hotels” which was a biting insult. That held me back for a long time because it wasn’t in my heart to paint for “shock and awe” or for the purpose of instigating debate. To be clear, I do think that type of art is very important and I love that artists can make a difference with their voices and their unique ways of expression; however, I don’t think that is the only way to create good art. Much of my art is created to highlight the beauty of color, texture, people, animals, and nature. It’s fulfilling to me when it brings joy to my clients. I love that art and interior design can make a person feel excited, peaceful, joyful, and even safe in their space.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
Until very recently, I would have said that I feel most at peace when I’m painting. But lately, I’m finding real peace when I connect with God through prayer. It’s difficult making time to pause the busy schedule of a stay-at-home mom and work-from-home interior designer and artist. It can even feel counter-intuitive to take time away from my short windows of productivity time; but, when I’m able to break away to focus on resting in the Holy Spirit, he gives me direction and I’m able to see things a little clearer. Sometimes it even ends up saving me time. Learning how to hear and obey God has brought me a lot of peace. Sometimes this looks like exchanging the 30 minutes of “work” time between dinner and bedtime routines for evening prayer. Sometime it looks like saying “no” to opportunities that seem promising and exciting because the Lord is nudging me in a different direction. Sometimes it looks like writing out two “to do” lists for the day. One with all of my work and family commitments (ie. drapery fabric search, email client, apply to art show, get groceries, etc.) and one with God’s “to do” list for me, which usually includes things like spending quality time listening to my children, spending time in the word, caring for my home, cooking for my family, and helping someone who needs it. I toggle back and forth between the to do lists for the day. This submission of my time, my energy, and my plans to the one who created me has brought me peace and rest.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.christinaharcarstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinaharcardesign/ AND https://www.instagram.com/christinaharcarart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinaharcarstudio/
