Chris Sutherland

Type of Work: Watercolor/Acrylic/Mixed Media Painting & Cards

Contact Information

Email: chrissutherlandart@gmail.com

Website: www.chrissutherlandart.com

Biography

Chris’ earliest memories of art are of her painting smooth rocks that she collected with her dad from a Michigan lake, creating miniature oil paintings (which she still has!) and even building a cardboard doll house complete with upholstered cardboard furniture for her younger cousin. Drawing, doll making, fabric arts, furniture painting—she has always been involved in creative and artistic pursuits. When her daughter graduated from high school, she encouraged Chris to follow her dream, and to take formal art classes. Chris has always loved watercolors, and once she took that first watercolor class, there was no turning back! Over the years, she has studied with many nationally recognized artists including Carole Barnes, Sterling Edwards and Robert Burridge. She sees the world as an unpredictable, beautiful, colorful and whimsical place. She paints with watercolor and acrylic paints and sometimes she adds some wild and loose pen and ink to the mix. Her ’style’ is best described as contemporary and imaginative. The work of the artists of the fauvism movement, in particular Henri Matisse, has influenced her painting. She is inspired by Toulouse-Lautrec and the manner in which he depicted movement and the lively bohemian lifestyle of the 1890’s. Not surprisingly, the art of Dr. Seuss has sparked her creative journey since she was three or four. Even though the world may be dark and grim at times, it is her hope that her paintings will evoke happiness, hope and maybe a little magic. Chris returned to her home state of North Carolina after residing in Virginia Beach for five wonderful years. She has a busy exhibition schedule which includes a number of juried outdoor shows each year. She is a founding member of Art Reach NC, a former exhibiting artist at The Artists Gallery in Virginia Beach, a board member of the Watercolor Society of North Carolina, and a former managing artist of Pembroke 4 Art Gallery in Virginia Beach. Her work can be found in various art galleries in the South East, at juried art shows, and gallery exhibitions