When it comes to painting, I consider myself first and foremost a storyteller.

From childhood, I’ve explored various modalities of expression in response to people and places I admire.

I believe that creating art goes a step beyond the receiving side of experiencing something or someone. It is a form of communication that says “I acknowledge you, I see you, I honor you” through the vulnerability of personal expression in art making.

Most artists have a subject matter that evokes that creative response from them such as sprawling landscape, skies or the human figure. For me, it’s all about people and the context they live and breathe and move in— candid slices of life capturing the essence of people and the beauty I find in them, just as they are.

When I approach a painting, I do so out of my honest relationship to a subject matter. The history and context of a place matters to me. I prefer to observe and live as a real participant within that place, to better understand its significance, before creating art that represents it. When there are people involved, I love to invite them into the process, to share with them how they have impacted me and also give them a chance to bring deeper context to my understanding of their story.

Being a neighbor in the East End of Richmond since 2017, I must acknowledge the deep layers of history that form the current context of this specific place on Earth and the people who live here. As the urban landscape of the East End shifts under a wave of gentrification, I choose to dedicate much of my art-making toward acknowledging, honoring and preserving these slice of life moments reflecting the lives and culture of my Black Neighbors.

As a follower of Jesus, I occasionally explore certain Biblical narratives or concepts through the “meditation” of creating imagery through painting.

As a momma of 5, I enjoy preserving family memories, both mine and those of others through paint.

— Christy