FLY met contemporary artist CHRIS MARIN a decade or so ago when she exhibited at Urban Gallery in Toronto. Chris displayed many large canvases filled with colour and energy, and the show was a big success. FLY has continued to follow her artistic journey and recently Chris reached out with notice of an upgraded website featuring her work, newsletters and other items of interest. Here’s the new site: chrismarinartist.ca
FLY encourages you to browse the pages of artwork and follow Chris as she rolls out her new series of 16 works titled “Juxtaposition”. She also has two new paintings which are now hanging at Hospice Georgian Triangle for the year, “Orange Vibrations” and “View from the Cottage” that residents enjoy for their healing visual benefits. FLY asked Chris to share her thoughts, inspirations and news…..
In your youth, you were an avid figure skater, practising for hours and hours. How did that sporty skill influence your artistic skills? When I skated in the 50’s and 60’s, it was not an artistic pursuit. In fact, one world-class judge hated seeing skaters even “wafting their arms about.” However, when I was on the ice with no one else around, I enjoyed responding to the music with long glides and turns. Freedom. I do enjoy that same kind of swaying motion when applying paint to a canvas with a large brush and no goal in mind.
Much of figure skating, however, was extremely rigid, especially the compulsory figures. It was also judged harshly by a panel of three expecting perfectly round circles traced exactly. I found the constant judging very stressful. What I have embraced with art is the concept of no right or wrong, no judgment, letting one step lead to the next.
When did you discover American artist Joan Mitchell and what has her influence been on you as you developed your own artistry? I saw Joan Mitchell’s large abstract paintings at the AGO in 2018. It was after my teacher, Brian Atyeo, suggested that I do non-objective paintings on 10’ canvasses, which I have yet to do. Five feet has been my maximum so far. He enjoyed watching me freely sweep a five inch brush across a canvas. It was only after reading in “Blue Territory” and seeing her work that I appreciated how skating had influenced my paintings in the same way it had hers. “She loved the turns, the swerving curves, the elegant arcs; on the ice she is all fleetness and grace.” Strangely enough, as self-conscious as I was skating, I was not in any way inhibited by Brian and some of the other students watch me paint. I concluded that the love of painting outweighed the nerves.
FLY remembers meeting you for the first time when you presented your solo show at Urban Gallery, a great indie gallery in Toronto that, sadly, Covid closed down permanently. How did that show reinforce your confidence and pride in your work? Being accepted into two group shows at the Urban Gallery was a big boost to my confidence. Attending the openings was a challenge in itself because I did not know what to expect. But, those experiences prompted me to tell myself, “I should work towards a solo show here.” Just creating a body of work on a theme was new. I was proud to see the work on the gallery walls and to receive positive feedback with some sales. Having to do social media and two interviews made me very nervous. Thankfully, you really calmed me down, Glenda, and I feel like that interview helped me jump another hurdle. I think I understand now that some might like my paintings, some might not. That is okay. I continue to love the process and ongoing experimentation and learning.
You recently hung 2 pieces in the Georgian Triangle Hospice – do you believe that art helps healing and general wellness for those dealing with physical, mental and spiritual traumas? Twenty years ago, I began writing my manuscript, “Backward Crossovers” about healing through creativity, and the story continues. I have experienced the benefits of intuitive watercolour painting and other art forms myself as I dealt with severe sensitivities and chronic pain and fatigue. For my students who were grieving or ill, painting was a balm to their heart and soul. Creative energy is a powerful healing tool. Just looking at art, hearing beautiful music or reading poetry let along submerging one’s self in a class for silk painting or pottery lifts the spirits and takes you out of your everyday world. There are many articles and books about this topic available now, I see. For Mother’s Day, I received, “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Rick Rubin.
You recently introduced your latest series of paintings – “Juxtaposition” – tell us about that and where you hope to exhibit them. FLY loved the duckling pair (below) so when that giant yellow rubber duckie arrives at the Toronto waterfront this summer, perhaps the paintings should be seen by everyone there? Every day for many years we walked the beaches near our home in Nova Scotia. I would notice fishermen’s gloves, nets, potato chip packages and more washed ashore. In Barbados, a huge light bulb lay on the beach, in Molokai piles of tiny bits of plastic. I would see these man-made pieces sitting beside shells, driftwood, beach rocks and seaweed. I wanted to express the importance of cleaning earth’s precious waters but also ask that we take note and stop polluting them. I hoped with “Juxtaposition” that I could convey this message in some small but meaningful way. My intent was to donate it to an organization removing plastics from the oceans so they could use the series to increase awareness but also for fundraising by using the imagery perhaps on reusable shopping bags, aprons, placemats, etc.
You also love creating jewellery – do you work using semi-precious stones, glass beads, metals, trade beads…? And are these also available on your website? I do love beads and made many necklaces, bracelets and earrings out of semi-precious stones, sterling silver, antique and vintage beads, crystal and more. I stopped making jewellery in order to focus on painting, printmaking and collage but there are pieces to be seen and purchased through my website. I also took two classes in silver smithing and found that I enjoyed lost wax casting. Some of the rings I made are on the website, too. You can also see a couple of my lampwork glass beads made at a workshop where I learned that I adore the look of the beads, but I don’t like working with a torch!!!
Chris, are you working on any other new projects? And do you take commissions? I am working on a series called, “Jack Frost Etchings” based on photos I took when we rented a condo in Ottawa years ago. In the winter, the windows were covered in frost patterns that looked spectacular at sunrise. These paintings have been particularly challenging because I want to convey the sparkle and texture of the frost as well as the different colours of light from the sun reflecting off the glass and ice. I have never been asked to paint a piece on commission but have poured intuitive paintings for an individual’s birthday or beloved dog that passed away.
If you would like to visit Chris Marin’s studio in Collingwood, Ontario, to see her artwork or jewellery, or attend a class (two or three people max) in collage, intuitive watercolour, hand printing or acrylic painting, please get in touch with her via email at chrismarinartist@gmail.com
