Krista Townsend

I am inspired and humbled by the natural world, and I make it my practice to spend time daily in the woods and mountains of central Virginia – exploring, looking, listening, and breathing. I begin a painting with photo references, memories, notes, and sketches, but soon the painting takes over and my observations of nature become impressions, gestures, and explorations in color. My compositions often focus closely on the plants and ground, zooming in on nature so that she dominates my canvas and demonstrates her power to consume space and continue to prevail. Whether I am exploring on foot or with my paintbrush, I contemplate the symbiotic relationship we have with nature, and my hope is that my work inspires a personal response in my viewer to act on our collective stewardship of nature.

Apprenticeship with Edward J. Reed, Alexandria, VA, 2006-2007
Master of Arts, Medical and Biological Illustration, The Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine, 1996 -1998
The Schuler School of Fine Arts (an atelier), Baltimore, MD, 1994-1996
Bachelor of Arts, The School of Art and Architecture, The Pennsylvania State
University, 1990-1994