Cristi is an aerialist and artist who creates beautiful celestial images that intricately convey the magic of aerial, pole, and other creative movement arts. This is my interview with her.

What inspired you to start training aerial? What apparatus(es) do you train?

I started Yoga & Aerial a few years ago for the first time, at quite a difficult time in my life. I absolutely loved the challenge of both, and the confidence they gave me.  It was a way to feel good again, and I was hooked! I was drawn to doing things that seemed “impossible” to me, as a way to prove to myself that I was strong enough, both mentally and physically, to do them.  

I now train Aerial Hammock, and I love Handstands and Arm Balancing. I also teach Aerial & Yoga here in Cyprus, and I really enjoy teaching other strong women, and seeing the joy it brings them too. We have a lovely supportive community 🙂

I saw you live in Cyprus, which is a really beautiful place. Have you always lived there? Do you find inspiration in your surroundings?

I have lived in Cyprus for about 15 years now, but I was actually born and raised in Zimbabwe. My parents emigrated there before I was born, and I am so grateful to have experienced my childhood there! Now I live on this Mediterranean island, which is really beautiful!! I think mostly, my colour choices are inspired by my surroundings – I love blues, which I have always associated with the beautiful beaches here, and that’s why most of my drawings are shades of blues – even my Aerial Hammocks are blue!

Can you tell me about your creative process? 

I love seeing beautiful Aerial shapes on Instagram, there’s so many amazing things we can do with our bodies! So I usually find my inspiration just by scrolling through hashtags. I am mostly drawn to Silks Poses, because the fabric adds such an extra fluidity to a pose, but I also really enjoy drawing Lyra Poses too – the hoop gives me so many ideas that I could incorporate. 

Once I find a pose & angle that I like, I try to think of what theme I can add to it, so I can tell a different kind of story. I think the feeling of doing something you enjoy isn’t so easy to describe in words, so I try to add a magical feel to my drawings as a way to describe it – kind of like, being in a different world. It’s one of the most rewarding feelings for me, when I finish laying out my idea, and seeing how it will come to life 🙂

How would you describe your art?

I would describe my art as Celestial I think. I like having a black starry background and vivid colours as a contrast. I really enjoy designing Aerial Art, because of the flying element – nothing is grounded, and I think that goes really well with this starry feel. I am also inspired by Tattoo art, which is why I use a lot of line & dot work.

If anything could happen, what would be your vision for your business?

Wow I have big dreams with this haha! I am a Graphic Designer by profession, and until the pandemic last year, I was working in Professional setting, from which I was made redundant along with my colleagues. This was very sad & difficult, but it was also my chance to combine both my Aerial & Design passions.  I absolutely love being a Designer, and I don’t think I would ever choose a different path – but I also crave to be creative in my own way, which is why I started Cristi Creative. 

Right now I only sell Prints, but I have a lot of ideas for the future. I know the Aerial Community is so big all around the world, and I would love to design a wide range of Products so people can express their love for the activities they do. I hope to produce unique designs for Apparel, as well as accessories. There isn’t a wide range of existing products to choose from right now, so I hope I can fill this gap, and bring some joy to Aerial & Yoga lovers everywhere.

Where can people view and purchase your art? Do you offer custom designs?

I post very regularly on my Instagram – @cristi.creative – where i also show small snippets of my process and idea, and a look behind the scenes.  I sell my artwork on Etsy – CristiCreative. 

I do offer custom designs! Anyone is welcome to contact me on either platform, and I would love to work on some private commissions.

Do you have any words of advice or encouragement to share with other artists?

I would say, don’t give up on what you really want to do. Art is such a difficult field because it is so subjective, but as long as you do what you do with passion and heart, someone will connect with it 🙂