Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Arnold.
Chris, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I remember as a little boy my father would take me to the local barbershop for a haircut each month. I was very afraid of the barber, so to distract me, my dad would let me pick out a comic book beforehand to read. I was too young to read or understand the words, but the images took me from one page to the next letting my imagination run wild. Soon I was fighting alongside my favorite superheroes instead of fearing for my life in that scary chair next to a man with razor sharp scissors.
I believe this to be my first memory and beginning to what would become my career as an artist. It was little adventures such as this that would eventually put a pen in my hand, and bring my ideas to life.
I eventually went on to get my BFA in Studio Art (University of Missouri, Columbia) and an MFA in Illustration (Savannah College of Art and Design). Now after nearly four decades since I sat in that scary barber’s chair, I am not only a working artist, but still love letting my imagination run wild. I am also happy to report I have lost my fear of the barber’s chair!
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am an illustrator and a fine artist. Most of the work I produce is for publishers, agencies and galleries. Ink is almost always a prominent feature in my art, and I often combine this with traditional materials such as watercolor and gouache. Recently I have been experimenting on the iPad Pro using the app Procreate to combine my style with the current technology.
As an artist, my intention is to capture various moments in time that reflect conceptual consideration. Through the combination of different sequences, I can begin a dialogue with virtually any type of audience. It is through this visual conversation that new knowledge can be communicated and the learning process both begins and continues. I am not looking for a ‘one answer solution’ in my projects, but a range of possibilities. I want to evoke a real reaction from people as they form their own ideas and conclusions about what they see in each and every piece of my artwork.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
It’s an amazing time to be an artist due to the tremendous amount of resources that exist along with increasing technology. While this is exciting and can make life and conditions easier, it can also make it harder and more difficult for an artist. Easier because we have access to exciting new technology to create and make that new conceptual connections. More difficult because that same technology that connects us is creating an equal opportunity for saturation of an already growing industry.
Cities like Chicago allow artists to be seen in a very public venue. A couple great examples of this, are the large-scale murals in the Wabash Arts Corridor and the Pilsen neighborhood. Here we find both notable and unknown artists showcasing their art and telling their unique stories. Murals like this exist all around our city and allow artists to connect with everyone, especially in communities where artwork is not as accessible.
If other cities would embrace this same philosophy it might encourage communities to recognize how powerful the addition of art can be on its people. Not only does it beautify a neighborhood, but it provides an opportunity for artists to express themselves and showcase their work. Certainly a win for everyone involved!
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
As an illustrator, I am always working on a wide range of projects, for a variety of different clients. One of my more recent projects was working with Agate Publishing to create “The Chicago Coloring Book: Iconic Places and Historic Landmarks”. This was a very fun and exciting project as I explored this fantastic city to capture images for my drawings (available on Amazon and in stores). I am currently working on new illustrations and they will be available for viewing very soon on my updated website.
Besides these projects, Rotofugi Gallery in Lincoln Park represents a small collection of my drawings from a past solo show called “Superstition.” This collection focused on a series of thirty-six illustrations that investigated astrological signs and symbols associated with reading the future.
In addition to creating artwork, I am also an art educator and program coordinator at Columbia College where I work with an amazing team of students and faculty. You can learn more about who we are and what we do through our external social networks.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/illustrationccc
Twitter: www.twitter.com/illustrationccc
Instagram: www.instagram.com/illustrationccc
Contact Info:
- Address: 623 S. Wabash Avenue, #900M
Chicago, IL 60605 - Website: www.chrisarnoldgallery.com
- Phone: 312-369-7845
- Email: chrisarnoldprojects@gmail.com or charnold@colum.edu
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/artist_chrisarnold
Image Credit:
Personal Photo: Kathie Chismar
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