Crystal Gonzalez Callison, a mother of six, recently showcased her artwork at Brigham Young University’s West Campus in a show called House Show 2.0.
Her artistic journey reflected her personal growth and her family’s experiences.
Callison spent nine years as a stay-at-home mom before deciding to return to school and apply to BYU. Her decision to pause her education came when her son was born with a brain tumor.
"I took a break because my son was born with a brain tumor, and I had to shift from being part-time school and full-time mom to full-time caregiver," she said.
Art became a way for Callison to support her children, many of whom have special needs.
"I had heard that art therapy was really good for kids with disabilities," Callison said. "I brought in a lot of art supplies, crayons, markers, paint — everything."
Callison’s children have embraced her artistic passion, often creating alongside her. Her oldest daughter said she wants to attend BYU and study art when she’s old enough.
Callison’s artwork reflects her life experiences, including her family, marriage, and heritage. One of her current projects is a series of portraits of the living women in her family.
"My grandma had breast cancer, and I didn’t know how long she would live," Callison said.
Callison said her grandmother was not able to see it. She fell into a coma and passed away around Christmas.
"I was actually very grateful to have that opportunity to paint her and to spend time with her," Callison said.
For mothers considering returning to school, Callison offered heartfelt advice.
"If you get a strong feeling that it is time for you to return, I think that you should lean into that and take those steps," she said. "Personally, I've had to rely a lot on God and just kind of try not to question."
Callison's journey is a reminder that with resilience and faith, it is never too late to pursue passions and embrace new opportunities.