Paradise Painting

Christine Allan, an artist based in Chemainus, BC, Canada, is known for her unconventional use of materials and techniques. "My journey began at a young age, driven by a desire to relieve the stress of growing up in complicated home, while surrounded by my animals. My life, like my art, is one big experiment. I draw inspiration from many things, including art history, particularly modern art. The deeply spiritual and emotional abstract work of artists, such as Mark Rothko and Marc Chagall, fascinate me. The pursuit of art allows me to explore and convey my own feelings about the world and the emotions that are evoked." The central themes of Christine's art revolves around open spaces and animals. Through layering and experimenting with colour, such as washing on colour, thick impasto and texturing with gesso and found materials she explores the use of various mediums, like wood-burning, embroidery and macrame. This approach invites viewers to embark on their own introspective journeys, encouraging them to reflect on their own perspectives and emotions. Her creative process is both intuitive and deliberate, evolving through layers of mediums that can include metallic and iridescent paints, and sometimes experimenting with making her own paint as well as adding found and other items, such as recycled fabric, crystals, feathers, and detritus. This adds depth and complexity to her work.   Ultimately, her work aims to evoke a calm and serene mood and foster a deeper connection between the viewer and the artwork. "I strive to create pieces that not only reflect my personal narrative but also resonate universally, touching on shared human experiences and emotions, continuing to push the boundaries of my creative practice and explore new dimensions of my artistic endeavors. In essence, Allan's art is a testament to resilience and the human spirit. Her creations blend past struggles, relentless pursuit of beauty, and unwavering belief in the healing power of art.