“Imagination Is Everything”
—Albert Einstein
Bold, striking colors resonate with my sense of wellbeing. This proved true when I was introduced to Christine Adele Moore, who is the second Center for the Arts Evergreen’s Artist-in-Residence. An emotional uplifting surged at my first glance of Christine’s use of vibrant colors and powerfully-created imagery, but there was one majestic piece, aptly titled Seahorse, that ignited my heart. Tears poured as I stood transfixed before a brilliant sea of color with a horse emerging from the flowing waves, his front hooves pounding, his muscular neck arched, and his head flawlessly captured to perfection. Christine’s tears ran down her cheeks as she watched me in silence. I confessed, “Never has art solicited this strong surge of emotion that I’m experiencing from this painting.” Christine artistically explained my reaction: “I use representational imagery to express visceral emotion. My work evolves from emotion that wells up within me.”
Born in New Jersey and raised in Delaware, Christine’s father, who worked for the PSE&G power company, was hopeful his innately gifted artistic daughter would become an attorney. “It was my mother’s artistic influence that inspired me,” Christine says. “She provided my sister, April, and me with artistic tools in which to express ourselves. Drawing was a daily way of life for us that became a driving passion from elementary school on. I studied art at the University of Delaware, Maryland Institute College of Art, and New College of Southwest Florida.”
Christine created a method of separating layers of textures using water-based media and various materials such as metal leaf with clear acrylic resin. She explains, “My paintings are comprised of at least 3 to 12 layers, and it is the layering technique that draws you into my artwork because it has the appearance of active life. I paint what pleases me and what makes my heart sing. I don’t like to be hemmed in on any one subject matter, so I have learned how to create a variety of explorations. Three of the consistencies of my work are layering, reflective media, and texture. The layers offer complexity and mystery; the reflective media infuses a kinetic element to the work, which is exciting and adds life; and the texture breaks the visual surface tension. Your eyes see the texture and wonder if it’s really there or if it’s an illusion, and you are immediately pulled into the work. I gained unique skills over the years working with many interior designers. Many of the projects were unusual and I had to learn how to use a variety of materials and combine them in unique ways. Now I can use those skills for soulful exploration, and it is pure joy.”
Self-reliance and artistic confidence didn’t define Christine during her childhood. “I was a chubby kid during my early years,” she shares. “Art helped me connect with the world. I became serious in high school when a friend of my father consigned me to do a portrait of him. The piece turned out better than I hoped. It was then I realized I didn’t want to get locked into doing one type of art, so I started designing t-shirts and created murals. Learning to diversify my talent at a young age proved beneficial. During my first year in college, I was commissioned to do a large mural, which paid for one semester of college. That was the beginning of a 26-year career working with interior designers as a freelance artist creating custom pieces for their clients. It proved lucrative, but I was constantly challenged to ‘hurry up and do something beautiful.’ In 2019, I transitioned into a festival artist. Traveling from art show to art show presented me with incredible freedom to expand my processes and availed me the opportunity to interact with people who ignited and filled my soul with goodness. My art has driven my heart and soul since I was 18 years old, and now I don’t care how long it takes me to complete a painting. I can stare at my canvas for hours or for days, and this process helps me paint wherever my imagination takes me, as opposed to working with designers whose clients need my work on their timetable.”
Positivity, energy, creativity and passion pour out of Christine, making it impossible to believe she is 53. “In my humble opinion, to maintain my creative flow, I make sure I get enough sleep, eat healthy, and exercise. I consider these habits to be a part of my process,” she says.
Of Christine’s vast career as an artist, she is now embracing this stage of her life with full abandon, which explains why she welcomed the opportunity to be Center for the Arts Evergreen’s second Artist-in-Residence. “This valuable experience has gifted me the opportunity to meet and work with a different demographic of people,” she says. “Art shows take a lot out of me. This experience affords me the time to fully immerse myself into my work without the physical toll of doing art festivals. It is a sabbatical from my life and routine. I am growing as a result of this enriching opportunity. I’m always thrilled to share both my love and passion for art, but I am experiencing something richer as an Artist-in-Residence. Throughout my life, when I have vacationed or worked in Colorado, I always felt I left part of my soul here. This residency has allowed me to reconnect with people and my art on a deeper level.”
Senior Director of Exhibitions, Education, and Outreach for Center for the Arts Evergreen Sara Miller joined my conversation with Christine, and revealed, “Our Artist-in Resident program was created through a generous donation from an anonymous donor. We bring in an array of artists working across disciplines and media that includes visual artists and sculptors. We’re offering 12-week residencies three times a year, and we ask each artist to develop and facilitate a community program related to their residency plan that creates artists with the opportunity to engage within our Evergreen residents and beyond. It also creates the time to dive deeply into their artistic endeavors. Our mountain communities have been generous toward this program, including local landowners who offered their rental property at an affordable fee. They also receive a $250 stipend per month and $750 when they complete the residency.” Christine adds, “This amazing opportunity offered a period of growth for me that I have not experienced since my last year in college.”
“It’s been an honor for our staff to meet and work with Christine. Our center creates a joyful family atmosphere and camaraderie is authentic. There is a continual culture of joy,” Sara adds.
Christine’s residency started September 2 and ends November 2. Of her experience, Christine reveals, “It’s been an uplifting and joyful experience for me, and the community of Evergreen has deeply touched my heart.”
Many profess art can be “a reflection of a person’s character, thoughts, beliefs, and state of mind.” Christine creates distinctive characters on canvas, and I can attest, they left a lasting imprint on my soul.
