S3 #12: So You Used to Be Creative? This Teacher Says You Still Are - with Chris Vabre

After 15-20 years in the corporate fashion world, artist and teacher Chris Vabre felt a huge hole in her life. Despite working in creative industries, she realized she'd completely abandoned her own creative practice—the painting, sculpting, fashion design, and artistic exploration that had defined her childhood. Sound familiar?

In this conversation, Chris shares her journey from corporate creative to full-time watercolor teacher and coach who transforms students from feeling "unworthy and not good enough" to confident, clear artists who understand their unique style. Her path began unexpectedly when Skillshare reached out through her jewelry brand website, asking her to teach. 10 years later,, she's built a thriving business helping others reconnect with their suppressed creativity.

Chris addresses a crucial societal problem: we've been conditioned to say "I'm not creative" or "there's not a creative bone in my body," despite scientific proof that all humans are inherently creative. She explains how this conditioning particularly affects corporate professionals who've spent decades believing creativity is frivolous or separate from "real work."

The conversation offers practical pathways for rekindling creativity, from her free online community where her members provide kind, supportive encouragement, to her tiered programs that help students progress from basic techniques to discovering their unique artistic style to potentially teaching others. Chris also explores the exploding opportunities in creative business, from surface design (art on products) to licensing artwork, showing that creative careers are being invented "right and left."

For anyone who's stuffed down their creative dreams so long they're not sure they're real anymore, Chris offers both permission and a roadmap. Her message is clear: that creative yearning isn't random—it's coming from somewhere important, and there's never been a better time to answer its call.

Resources & Links Mentioned

1. The Watercolor Journey free group in Skool
2. The Membership Community
3. The Art Style Clarity Formula course/group coaching
4. The Creative Online Teaching Mentorship 12-week 1-On-1 Program
5. Chris on Instagram
6. Chris on YouTube
7. You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay