Meet Corrie Frank | Watercolor Artist & Teacher

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

Hi Corrie, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Honestly, all decisions involve a bit of risk, but I think the biggest one is NOT stepping out and pursuing your calling and dreams because you risk missing out on being who you’re meant to be and living a life of purpose. I don’t think of myself as a brave person, but God gave me the courage to step out and take the risk, and now I can embrace both the challenges and triumphs of being a full-time artist. So, when it comes to risk, the question becomes—will you take it or won’t you? I decided to take it, and I’m so glad I did.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My experience with watercolor is actually a bit of a funny story. I adopted an early interest in art and drawing and since my Grammy was a watercolor artist, I wanted to try it as well, but it was a complete disaster! I resolved to never use watercolors again. Fast-forward several years, I don’t know what possessed me (probably the Holy Spirit), but I decided to use watercolors in one of my university art classes. I was worried that I might have set myself up for a semester of failure, but instead I absolutely fell in love with them! Something clicked in my brain and I was hooked.
I’ve been using the medium for over a decade now, and I’m glad that I went through that initial negative experience because I relate to folks who are intimidated by watercolors and can now pass on the knowledge I wish I’d had when I first tried them. I’ve learned that even though we may not realize it at the time, the difficulties we face prepare us for the future. Over the years, I’ve developed a signature style that combines realistic imagery with abstract splashes of vibrant color. I enjoy capturing the essence of my subject and reflecting the beauty of this world. However, it hasn’t always been a smooth road, and there was a time when I lost sight of my dream of being an artist.

I studied Studio Art and Art History as an undergraduate, but felt adrift when I graduated and bounced around in a few positions until I started working as an Assistant Librarian at the Broomfield Library on June 1, 2015. I decided to get my Master Degree in Library Science and graduated at the end of 2018. When the pandemic hit, I was placed on furlough but didn’t want to sit around and do nothing, so I started an art channel on YouTube. Something in my spirit came alive and I realized creating art is what I was meant to do. Thankfully, I was called back to work in early June of 2020 and from that point began planning and preparing to become a full-time artist. I left the library full of gratitude on June 1, 2022 to run my art business, Corrie Frank Creates, LLC. While it has certainly come with its own challenges, I wouldn’t trade it for the world, and I’ll continue to faithfully follow my mission to share joy through beautiful art and help others explore how much fun drawing and painting can be.

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?
Assuming this friend loves nature and getting outdoors like I do, I would recommend hikes to a bunch of my favorite areas, like NCAR, Chautauqua Park, Boulder Creek. A trip to the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder would also be a must—there are so many art galleries, fun shops, and interesting people! I actually really enjoy cooking and baking, so if I had a friend visiting, we’d probably eat a bunch of meals at my house, but I love going out for brunch, and a couple of my favorite breakfast spots are Bluebird Café in Thornton and Foolish Craig’s in Boulder. There is also a local coffee shop called ZOE’S Coffee in Westminster that has a warm, inviting atmosphere.

I attended university at CU-Boulder, so I’m more familiar with the area and what it has to offer, but if there happened to be a showing of “The Phantom of the Opera” or the “Dracula Ballet” at the Buell Theater in Denver, I would highly recommend going, or if the Denver Art Museum had a Monet exhibit, that would be a definite highlight. The Denver Zoo is another great spot to visit. The Denver Botanic Gardens and Butterfly Pavilion would be on the list as well. Basically, a bunch of outdoor, nature-related things and a few attractions.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The one who deserves all the credit is God—I never would have had the guts to start a business on my own! Anytime I’ve gotten worried and wondered whether I would make it, He has provided and opened doors—it’s truly remarkable. And as cliché as it sounds, I could not have done this without the support and encouragement of my parents and many other family members and friends. So, a shoutout to my parents, my mentor—your advice, guidance, and wisdom have been priceless—the members of my Creative Masterminds group, Matt Tommey and his Created to Thrive Artist Mentoring Program, and all the family and friends who believed in me.

Website: corriefrankcreates.com

Instagram: @corriefrankcreates

Facebook: facebook.com/people/Corrie-Frank-Creates/100086428497846/

Youtube: youtube.com/@corriefrankcreates