Behind the Canvas: The Isabella Story

Rest assured there is a clear story for me embedded in EVERY abstract painting I create. It’s something which I am feeling when the marks and strokes flow from my hands to the canvas. I don’t always talk about it, though I hint at it through the titles of my paintings.

I don’t always tell you because my real hope is to cause your senses to engage with the work and attach your own meanings to it. If I tell you what it means to me, it can overtake YOUR story – like something you can’t unsee – sometimes you can’t detach from what the piece means to me and then it won’t be your artwork (and you likely won’t want it in your environment).

I want each piece to resonate with each person on their own terms, not mine. I want my work to meet you where YOU are.  And, yes, sometimes that means that you won’t like my work, but that’s okay too, because for me, it’s always about presence and love, and you and I aren’t in the same places with those things.

Artwork with Meaning

I believe that when we like any artwork it’s because it has some meaning and/or feeling to us, though sometimes we aren’t conscious of what that is. Take a look around at artwork you own and think about why you love it or how it makes you feel, and you’ll get exactly what I’m talking about, and you may even want to buy new artwork (ha!).

This can be a very interesting, and potentially expensive, experiment! Trust me, I know…

But this is the at the root of why we invest in artwork: art helps us create an environment filled with meaning, feeling and purpose that is personal to each of us.

Abstract, Realism or Both

I have been asked repeatedly about my painting, Isabella, because the title hints at something less abstract and more realistic for my work. For me, the why behind “Isabella” is a special story, and worthy of telling. The piece is a direct and immediate result of this story: 

Isabella, a 90ish year-old, very tiny French woman that I didn’t know knocked on my front door when I was painting in the studio in May. I don’t know how or why she even walked to my house as she lives two streets away and surely there were 6 to 8 neighbors much closer to her house than mine. But nonetheless, she came to my door and found me and Sam. She needed help because her electricity was out, her phone wasn’t working, and she felt alone and worried or maybe even scared. I immediately knew I needed to help her. I couldn’t imagine how she had possibly walked the two long blocks to me, or why? I told her I’d get some help and hopefully soothed her nerves - I mean that’s what we’d all want someone to do for us in that moment, right?

When I got back to her house an hour later with the plan for the utilities to come fix her situation, she said in a very heartfelt way, with her French accent, “Chris you and Sam gave me a gift of kindness and friendship.”

And, wow if that isn’t inspiration, I don’t know what is!!

Artwork Enables Connections

I’m pretty sure I was the beneficiary of Isabella’s gift. I personally believe all kinds of “soul mates” come into your life all the time and their gift to us is our ability to recognize the connectivity we have with them to enhance our lives. Isabella is one of those soul mates, and I’m sure the Angels got her to my door so I could paint about her.  

And, P.S., both Sam and I love connecting with our new friend if she happens to be outside when we walk.  It’s always a happy moment in our day which is a huge gift anytime!

isabella | 60”h x 78”w | inquire Here

New Work Coming

On another note, I’ve been promising new work for a couple of months now and I DO promise its coming – in fact I have 16 pieces (all with their own stories) completed and several more in a near completed state.  I haven’t posted any of these on Instagram yet as I’m reserving them for one of my gallery partners to have a first look, but soon I’ll be announcing them, and, get better with my posting. In order to ensure YOU hear about it first before the public announcement, sign up to my private collections announcements down below if you haven’t already.

Bring it on August…

Thanks for following along and your interest in my work! I know up north August means that Fall (and heat relief) is a short distance away, but down here the heat doesn’t change. My recommendation for staying cool? Go to your favorite art galleries and museums and look for new artwork!

Meanwhile, I hope to meet you on the beach walking while looking for my favorite shells (we don’t have sand dollars right now as they are off making babies, but I will see them again soon too…).

XO, Chris