Meet Kristina Lucia Pezza | Children’s Author & Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristina Lucia Pezza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristina Lucia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In 2018 I suffered an injury that forced me to put everything on hold for several months. Since I could not work or dance, I had a lot of time to think and realized that I needed to make a change in my own life. I was in the process of pivoting for over a year when I got laid off from my job and was given even more freedom to explore. A month later I went on a job interview and when I left I realized that if I went back into an office setting I would be repeating the same pattern that I was working so hard to break. A week later I declared myself an entrepreneur.
Taking those first steps forward, I knew I had to keep testing ideas while also observing how people were responding to my pitches. When people kept gravitating toward the characters I had created, I knew I had to explore this path. The stuffies I developed led to me starting my blog and 6 months later I discovered my calling to be a children’s author and illustrator.

I really believe having the courage to try things and release your drafts to the world is essential. We grow when we connect with others.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I was always a very creative child and at the age of seven my mother brought my artwork to a local art teacher, Joanne Gacquin. Her studio had a rule that children needed to be 9 or older to take lessons. However, she saw potential in me at the age of 7 and took me under her wing. My biggest takeaway from my years under her instruction is that she taught me technique but gave me room play. From day one I was learning fundamental techniques but I was allowed to choose my subjects. All I wanted to draw for years was animals and she always gave me that space to make this choice. There have been periods of my life where I have taken breaks in my training but I have always found my way back to it. I feel more whole when I am creating.
My struggle came with how to support myself through my art without making it work. I never wanted to resent my art and explored different career paths including interior design and property development but doors shut on me.
When I got my job on Wall Street, I first thought I was getting a sign that this is where I belong. However, doors closed on me in this space as well from projects being taken off my plate to failing to see another step I could take career wise. During these 9 years I hid my creativity. I would work all day and then run to the dance studio the second I was out of work. Yarn, crochet hooks, and drawing paper were stuffed in my bag and my finger would itch to touch them.
When I filed for my LLC with only the characters I created in hand, I had no idea what would happen but I was no longer hiding my creativity. From that moment on I have been able to openly talk about my dancing and drawing without fear. The mission of my brand and book series is all about communication and being your true self. When we have clarity of who we are, we can recognize our feelings and the feelings of others. With this knowledge communication flourishes even deeper.

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?
I love when friends come to visit!! First and foremost I alway budget for quality time at home. I am both an avid baker and cook- Italian all the way- and get dinner requests prior to a friend arriving. Fun places to explore include:
Bronx Botanical Garden- Rose Garden in particular
Exploring the neighborhood gardens of Alphabet City
Central Park Zoo
Bryant Park- so peaceful
Drink at the Plaza
FAO Schwarz
Walk down 5th Avenue
High Line is a super fun walk with a stop at Artichoke Pizza
Prince Street Pizza is a amazing
Rooftop drinks at Mr. Purple and Jimmy
Kyma Flatiron is a must- especially when my friend is bartending
Walk over the Brooklyn Bridge at night is amazing and Dumbo is so fun to explore.
Lower East side is a must for drinks- Ten Bells, Atta Boy, Back Room
The restaurant choices are endless but I always favor the spots below 14th Street

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My first art teacher, Joanne Gacquin, who took me under her wing at a very young age. My dancer teachers who push me and nurture my love for the arts. My book team who does the work that brings my books to your hands. My mom and grandma who are watching from above and are always at my side.

Website: https://cccokl.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinaluciapezza/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinalandrews/

Facebook: Kristina Lucia

Image Credits
All images were taken by myself or a friend. The image of my books are under my ownership as well.