Behind The Scenes

 Hello and Welcome! My name is Christine Harris Cantrell, and I’m a mixed media artist, jewelry maker, a cancer survivor, cat mom and all-around dabbler in any project that is messy and fun. When I was a kid, I saw Bob Ross painting on TV one day, and I grabbed the nearest thing I had, which was a makeup kit, to try and paint like he did. This is where my journey began. But as most people know life came and I grew up, and work took over and all the things that make you push the “fun” aside. I dabbled from time to time, but it was always “later” for me that I’d get back to my art. In 2013 life threw me a curveball. At the age of 29, I was diagnosed with the BIG C, CANCER. I had a form of ovarian cancer that took me on a year-long whirlwind of surgeries and chemotherapy. This was a major wake-up call for me. My whole world shifted, and art took a forefront in my life again. I painted and made jewelry to pass the time and get me thru. As I was doing this, people starting asking if I sold my jewelry or art, and at the time I didn’t. Then the light bulb clicked on, and I realized that “later” needed to be my now. So in 2013, I opened Side Street Design LLC and my Etsy shop , as something to keep pulling me thru and to look forward to. I was declared cancer free in 2014, and so my journey continued. I currently reside in Florida with my husband John Cantrell who is also an artist (portfolio), and our two cats, Holly and Chappie. If you follow me on Instagram, Facebook or on the blog, you’ll see them pop up. They like to help me in the studio a lot, and they bring a smile to my face every day. Speaking of smiles, that is why I kept going with my art. I did my first Art Fair/Show in August of 2015, and it was a blast. I get so much joy out of seeing someone come by and their face light up at a piece of my art. That is the biggest reward, seeing a smile on their face. When one of my pieces sell I feel like it is building a legacy and a part of me is now out there on a new journey in the world. My influences come from what’s around me. A movie, a book, a critter I see outside. I start with a blank page, add some scrap paper, pull colors from the papers, and then see where the journey takes me. Sometimes it’s a fun elephant or a wise owl. Other times it’s a sugar skull because I love getting into the detail and each one can be so unique. Some days I don’t feel like painting, so that’s when the jewelry comes out. Every day is a gift, and I’m thankful to be here, to share it with wonderful people and to bring happiness into other’s lives. I welcome all feedback and comments so feel free to contact me at sidestreetdesign@gmail.com