For some people, creativity is more than an ordinary habit—it’s everything.

Illustrator Christina Gliha has always been committed to her creative dreams, so much so that she transformed her life in service of them. Last year, she sold her house in Toronto and everything she owned to pursue her art full-time—in Paris. “It was a massive undertaking but also a huge privilege that I was able to make it happen—I have my husband to thank for his unwavering support,” she shared. “The business of taking your passion seriously is transformative. If you are lucky enough to recognize what lights you up from within, and you have the means to pursue it, you absolutely must find a way.”

Passion is ever-present in Gliha’s work. She moves seamlessly between mediums, from oil paint to gouache and more. She renders colorful compositions that feature delights from the fashionable to the culinary. In the spirit of Gliha’s French residence, there is an element of joie de vivre that keeps viewers engaged in the whimsy and beauty of her illustrations. This same sensibility can be found in her puzzle, Posh Puppy Room Service, which is a part of our new collection.

Beyond aesthetics, Gliha’s steadfast commitment to her craft is something we equally admire. As she put it: “Focusing on art is as noble as any other pursuit. While it has always been a part of my life, nothing says commitment like uprooting your whole existence to fully embrace it as your vocation in a new country.”

Read on to meet Gliha, who shared more about her path, process, and fall habits in Paris.

What is an ordinary habit that best captures who you are at this point in your life?

I quit my “secure” corporate job and bet on myself to move across the world to reinvent my life and self and how I want to live. More than a few people scoffed at my plans, but I try not to pay attention to other people's limiting beliefs about what is or is not possible. Everyone needs to live for themselves and their dreams. The rest is irrelevant. I know what I am capable of, and it’s my responsibility to make my life wonderful. Self-trust and reliance are everything—so is surrounding yourself with kind, positive people.

Speaking of kind, positive people: You also work alongside your husband, Martin Bregman, on Curious Manor Paper, a stationery line. As a family-founded and run brand, we love spotlighting close, creative partnerships. Tell us more about your relationship—and habits. What habits do you love to engage in together? What are some creative habits Martin has inspired you to build?

Thank you so much for asking this question because I am so proud of our relationship and what we built together. Being able to turn to your partner in life and business at any moment and discuss any facet of the work is so comforting because you trust that person more than anyone.

Martin is an incredible collaborator because he can talk about any aspect of the creative process or business. We balance each other's skill sets—he has taught me how to be calmer and more measured in the face of challenges and conflict, and I have taught him how to go after anything you want and the power of showing up daily, authentically. Most importantly, we share the same values, work ethic, and desire for fun. Operating with integrity and always wanting to deliver the best work brings us closer together and creates the best results. In short, we definitely make each other better, and when we come together on an idea, we know we are unstoppable.

Though you work across industries, your aesthetic has a stylish quality. Would you agree? Where do you draw inspiration, and in what ways has your artistic style changed over the years?

I think a person who is artistic lives that way in every facet of their life—it extends to how they dress, what they eat, and how they behave. I see my artwork as an extension of all the things I love to notice, savor, and appreciate.

I think it’s too soon to tell my artistic style evolution as I have only been at this full-time for three years, but I would say that the consistent elements are clear: color and joy.

We love that your illustration practice is so rooted in place. That said, where do you wish you were at this very moment—real or imagined? How would you render it on the page?

I was living in Toronto when I started my illustration practice, and if you looked at my body of work, it was clearly screaming, “I love France.” Instead of admiring it from afar or during my annual vacation there, I decided it was time to move full-time to become better immersed in my favorite subject.

Paris—France, as a whole—is my most cherished place on earth. It’s where I feel like I fit and am understood and valued. Even though I was born in Canada, I have never felt like I fit in there. I have always found it to be a falsely modest culture, where being too direct or overtly passionate about anything is looked upon with suspicion. I love the French because they always say what they really feel, and they wear their love for life and their work proudly on their sleeves. So, to answer your question, I am right where I want to be. I can and will continue to render it with the same love and admiration. A client recently told me I had “the spirit of France in my pen,” and I have never felt more seen and appreciated.

What themes, scenes, colors, or moments did you want to explore when conceiving Posh Puppy Room Service?

My puppy Birdie is literally one of the best aspects of my life. I am obsessed with her. She is featured in my work regularly, and I am always wondering how to make her life more enjoyable. This scene was born of a desire to imagine a party for her and her fellow furry friends.

What is your favorite aspect of the artwork?

My favorite aspect is how present and aware dogs are—they live in the moment and appreciate every detail. They notice everything we do and savor their experiences fully. My husband and I sometimes joke that we were put on earth to make our dog happy, and I gratefully embrace that idea. Dog people will totally get that sentiment.

Christina’s Fall Habits

What is your fall uniform? I used to have a pretty bad shopping addiction having worked in fashion and retail—so each season, I would buy all-new everything. As I have matured, I instead invest in really well-made staples that last. I now love big chunky sweaters, wool trousers, colorful scarves, and loafers with cashmere socks. I also adore hats of all kinds. Comfort and timeless ease are really what motivate me now versus catering to any trend or gaze.

What three songs are on repeat on your fall playlist?

• “Cosmic Dancer” by T.Rex
• “Holy Ghost” by The Bar-Kays
• “Move On Up” by Curtis Mayfield

I do get addicted to the trending songs on TikTok, but in general, I always listen to music from the ‘60s and ‘70s—I love funk, T.Rex, Nina Simone, Fela Kuti, The Bar-Kays, Sébastien Tellier, movie soundtracks, and classical music. I also listen to a lot of books and podcasts when painting.

What films or books are on your fall list? For Halloween, Martin and I always watch Only Lovers Left Alive and the original Beetlejuice. I also love Agnes Varda and Jacques Tati films. For books, I’m always drawn to Mary Oliver, James Baldwin, and Audre Lorde. I am currently making my way through the Penguin Modern Classics collection and am loving it.

What is your favorite fall habit or indulgence? This year, I’m looking forward to being smothered in French cheese. When I lived in Strasbourg for a year once, I ate lots of raclette with crusty bread and pickles, so I’m definitely going to seek that out!

What is your ideal fall day in Paris? Paris is the best city to get lost in. My ideal day would be to have no agenda and just wander into any street, park, or shop I like. Antique markets happen regularly, so finding some treasures and then sitting at a cafe for a delicious bite and people-watching would be ideal. I also always bring my sketchbook in case the mood strikes.

What is your go-to fall color palette? Light grey and oatmeal wools are a given, plus a pop of red lip, navy suits and peacoats, a crisp white shirt and dusty rose cashmeres, layers of colorful scarves in emeralds, and handbags in oxblood make me feel cozy and elegant. I stopped wearing black once I left the corporate world and am better for it in every way. While it is always a very classic and chic choice, it doesn’t represent how I want to feel anymore. I think black repels and protects, and I want to invite life in by beaming out warm colors.

What do you hope to notice more this fall? Other than the colors of the leaves, I would like to consider leaving my phone behind so that I can focus on one thing at a time and really take in what I’m doing. Split focus is our new normal, and I think it’s really robbed humanity of being fully present for ourselves and others. I love the trend of younger generations rejecting smartphones and using flip phones. I mourn the loss of being unavailable and also just observing the world without constantly reaching for my device to check an alert.

What is your ideal fall puzzling environment? My husband and I have historically always rented a cottage in Muskoka with a fireplace to do puzzles by. This year is our first fall as Paris residents, so we will be puzzling next to a candelabra in our apartment in the 1st arrondissement.

What other Ordinary Habit puzzles do you love? I love Paris Patisserie by Rachel Victoria Hillis and Royal Mansour by Joanne Hendrickx.

What fall journaling prompt would you give to the Ordinary Habit community? Write out your most ideal life—if money and time were no object—in exact detail. Be very specific. Then, close your eyes, visualize it, and feel it. Read it every day and know it can be true.