Featured Artist of the Month : Christine Smith-Atkins Mar. 2024 | TheArtList - Art & Photo Calls for Visual Artists and Photographers.

Christine Smith-Atkins

Fairview, Texas, USA

As a lifelong Artist, my work has ranged in mediums, styles and subject matter. My art style spans from pure abstract to expressionism to surrealism. I hold a degree from the Art Institute of Dallas, and currently serve as Chairman of The Visual Arts League of Allen, a non-profit member based artist organization. I also work as a Program Director for the Allen Arts Alliance, a non-profit umbrella organization for the various other arts organization in Allen, Texas.

My work often delves into the realms of the unspoken, creating visual narratives that transport viewers to enigmatic landscapes and evoke profound emotions. Moody and atmospheric, my art seeks to evoke emotions that reside in the shadows of the human experience. I explore themes of introspection and the complexities of the human psyche. I strive to blur the boundaries between reality and imagination, inviting audiences to question their perceptions and venture into the depths of the subconscious.

Ultimately, my goal as an artist is to provoke introspection, to invite viewers to contemplate the complexities of existence, and to spark conversations about the unspoken aspects of our inner lives. I try to create a space for reflection and emotional resonance, where the surreal becomes a conduit for self-exploration and connection with the profound mysteries that lie beneath the surface.

How and when did you start creating art?

I have been an Artist my whole life or at least as far back as I can remember. I worked in digital art when it first came on-line back in the late 80s and earned a degree from the Art Institute of Dallas in Animation and Multi-Media in the 90s. I work in Video Game development as a 3d Artist and Animator for over a decade before I came back to my fine art roots and started painting again.

What media and genres do you work in?

I work in a variety of mediums including Oil, Acrylics, Mixed media and like to incorporate elements of texture into my work. I also teach animation classes at the college level and am also a graphic artist.

Who or what are your influences?

I am influenced by other artists work, nature and the human experience, as well is by old masters such as Di Vinci, Van Gogh, Monet and Dali.

What was your inspiration for
Unravelling While Letting Go
?

This piece, and others were created while I was going through therapy sessions to deal with unresolved traumas that had surfaced and were causing negativity within my life with relationships and self. Through the therapy sessions I was creating art to express what I was learning and going through as a 2-pronged approach to healing. The painting expresses the idea of how current thoughts and beliefs have to unravel to become untangled, releasing the knots, in order to let go of the bad stuff, and understand what’s important to hold onto. The faceless woman and the birds are symbolic of identity and spirit.

Describe your creative process?

My creative process usually starts with an inspired idea that comes either from a personal experience, dream or from a nature. If I need to find some inspiration, I will go walk some galleries or look at art online and see what strikes me. From there I usually have somewhat of an idea that I want to create…whether it’s just a color palette or a technique or style, or a full-blown crystal-clear vision. I have also been playing with an AI image generator to inspire the thought process or to pull together some reference material. From there I put on some good music that sets the vibe and emotion in my mind and i start painting…often the painting develops itself over time, though process and experimentation.

What are you working on currently?

I always have multiple paintings that I bounce around on while working. I currently have a surrealist piece based on humans feeling connected by being ‘plugged in’ to media, while actually creating a reality of being more alone. I am also working on a larger textured landscape piece with crows watching a sunset, for an upcoming show.

What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

I am currently building up a collection of art that I hope to present in a Solo exhibit and am considering looking for Gallery representation. I also have plans to open my own art gallery once I make the move to Colorado later this year. My ultimate goal is to be a full-time fine artist.