Christie Owen
When asked when she became an artist, Christie Owen answers without hesitation, "I have been an artist all of my life. I feel like my life is art. Everything is art. It is innate in me."
Creativity was part of Christie's family life from an early age. Brought up in Rochester, New York, Christie grew up with minimal technology and spent most of her time drawing. Crayons, pencils, and paper were always within reach. Christie's parents were illustrators, and her father was a professional photographer. She credits them for nourishing this creative spark in her. Christie describes the mixed blessing of artistic parents: "They were great at giving constructive criticism and encouraged me to improve. Sometimes I didn't like hearing, 'This could be better,' but it prepared me for the art world." She was first exposed to this world at an exhibition by an established painter and family friend, Charlie Clough. The show gave Christie insight into the life of an artist. She turned to her parents and said, "I want to do this."
All in All by Christie Owen
Christie had supportive art teachers in high school who encouraged her creative path, which led her to Buffalo State University, where she studied fine arts with visual communication. Christie focused her studies on graphic design so she could get a technical degree with employment opportunities. Upon graduation in 1998, a design company hired her. Computers became her artistic outlet. Christie liked the mix of function and aesthetics in graphic design but did not enjoy the stagnancy of working at a desk. She never stopped making art in her free time and says this persistence is inherent to her practice. "I could never put a cork on it. I have to express myself. 24/7, I am always thinking, imagining, and creating. When you are an artist, it is hard to turn it off," explains Christie. Soon friends and acquaintances began to ask if they could buy her paintings. At first, Christie hesitated as she did not see herself as a professional artist.
As life would have it, the art world found her once again when another artist reached out on Facebook about starting a women's art organization. One thing led to another, and they opened a gallery together. Christie designates this serendipitous time in 2009 as the beginning of her professional art career. They began curating regular shows at the gallery, and she never looked back. For nearly ten years, Christie held quarterly exhibits with themes encouraging her to produce new work. She learned through experience how to be a professional artist and run a successful studio business: "I threw myself into the art world because other people encouraged me. I am adamant enough that I am always pushing through and problem-solving."
Christie applies this same determination to her creative process. She approaches her artwork through an intuitive mix of experimentation and design. Sometimes, Christie will bring an idea into the studio and explore it with mark-making and color experimentation. Through a series of artworks, she will hone these experimental elements into a structured formula. Other times Christie will execute the exact concept of what she wants to create from start to finish. "I use both processes depending on the idea. The main thing is to keep creating. The art I admire is like a musician fusing different sounds to create an emotion or expression. My process is haphazard and full of happy accidents," explains Christie.
Element Series Set #3126, #3127, #3128, and #3133
She prefers variety in her work and does not follow a particular style or trend. Christie leads her collaborations and professional relationships on the same basis. On a recent commission for a business, she made new pieces for their office space. Half of the artworks held a cohesive style, and the other half looked entirely different. "If someone walked in, they would think multiple artists made the artwork, but it is all me. I like that I can do a range of styles, and my patrons appreciate the breadth," says Christie.
Like how serendipity and happy accidents have shaped her career, similar circumstances introduced Christie to the 1515 Lincoln Gallery. Christie's art studio was next to fellow 1515 Lincoln Gallery artist Nathan Lee. After the two became friends, he connected her to the gallery. Christie was immediately impressed with Susan and found kinship in her organic approach to supporting artists. Christie admires how Susan is bringing the focus to Oklahoma's cultural community, "She wants to show the world Oklahoma artists and show Oklahoma artists the world. She opens up opportunities for artists and patrons. The way she is approaching that is very unique and valuable."
Christie is working on a collage series she looks forward to exhibiting at the 1515 Lincoln Gallery soon. She is happy to be at a point where art leads her schedule. Looking back, Christie can see art has always led the way, whether she knew it at the time or not. "Art is this magical, wonderful thing I'm lucky to experience. I will do it for the rest of my life."
