Cristy Dunn
United States
My paintings and murals tell the stories of Makers and of the power of the Arts to uplift the human spirit. I create traditional oil portraits, using the timeless techniques of the Old Masters. I often incorporate silver leaf, which adds an ethereal element. Glazes create light filled surfaces. When someone sees my work I want them to feel a connection to the sacredness within us all.
The strongest influences on my work have always been close to home. These influences include sounds and imagery from the Old Time Music that permeated my childhood and the woods and forests that still surround my home. My grandfather was a Fiddler, and his music held the power to transform the greatest of life's hardships. Somehow, through his music, he taught me the same. I began to paint at a very young age. I remember being swept away by the process of creating when the adversity of life became nearly unbearable.
My current body of work features Makers, their tools, and their processes. Birds and Butterflies often find their way into my paintings. These winged creatures symbolize the metaphorical flight we embark upon through art.
* This statement has been provided directly by the artist in association to their 16th International ARC Salon entries. This content has not been edited for typos or grammatical errors and has not been vetted for accuracy.
