Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Christine Rasmussen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Christine, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
One of the cool things about being an artist is that I’m always working on a meaningful (to me) project. In my current series of paintings, I’m exploring the idea of spaciousness and stillness as an antidote to the overwhelm, urgency and constant distraction of our phones/social media/24-hour news cycle. I paint in oils, so I get to experience the act of slowing down every day in the studio. I want to offer that calm, that sense of being really present in the moment, to others. I hope the viewer will get lost in the big open spaces and subtle details that offer more the longer one looks.
I’ll be sharing these new paintings in my next solo show at Billis Williams Gallery in September 2024.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
As a painter I investigate the in between, transforming ordinary urban landscapes into moments of wonder. My exploration of liminal spaces is a metaphor for life, offering solace from life’s dualities by seeking transcendence in the everyday.
What does this look like? Well, I depict urban landscapes with luminous skies, devoid of landmarks and human figures. The simplified compositions invite the viewer to imbue their own life experiences and memory associations. In beautifying the banal, I explore the bittersweet, pondering life’s dualities like beauty and sorrow, solitude and connection, uncertainty and possibility.
These themes interest me as a former global nomad, having grown up in three different countries – Pakistan, Vietnam and the United States. I have often felt like an outsider, hovering between cultures, time zones and languages. But lack of belonging also developed for me a unique viewpoint, a keen sense of observation and an appreciation for liminal spaces. These days, I find solace in being present, seeking familiarity and uncovering awe in the patterns, materials and cracks – the mundane details of every place. Slowing down to render my interpretations in oil paints is a grounding practice that makes the world a little more magical.
I have lived in LA since late 2015, working out of my studio at Keystone Art Space and showing my work around the county. I am represented by Billis Williams Gallery in Culver City, and will have my next solo show there in September 2024.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
The throughline in the various themes I’ve explored over the course of my creative journey is shifting perspective. I don’t just mean linear perspective; rather, shifting one’s mindset or way of viewing the world. At first, that was just for me, seeking antidotes to loneliness or the patriarchy or depression via curiosity, research and close observation of my surroundings. In conversations about the resulting paintings, however, I’ve found my aspiration to shift away from negativity and despair resonates with other people.
For example, in the last several years since the pandemic started, I’ve been thinking about building emotional resilience as an antidote to anxiety and existential dread. Seeking spaciousness via stillness and attention to detail. From the safety of my own backyard, I started paying more attention to the sky, looking for perspective and hope in the expanse of the everchanging heavens, which can be both uncertain and offer possibility (just like life). I shifted my compositions to include more sky, offering spaciousness and possibility to the viewer. Since sharing this work, I regularly receive photos of skies that remind the sender of my paintings – such a huge compliment. A wonderful reminder that everyone can look up towards the sky, shifting their attention from the gravity and chaos it is easy to feel immersed in, to fill their own resilience cup.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I read recently that the head of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Maria Rosario Jackson, views art as intersectional: “rather than an add-on luxury, it’s a fundamental building block of vibrant souls and just societies” (as outlined in the LA Times 1/29/24). I absolutely agree! I know from experience that art can broaden your mind, shift your perspective and build compassion and empathy, including across ideological differences. So, I’m delighted to hear that the NEA is trying to promote how essential art and creativity is in all sectors of society, for solving complex problems and creating “healthy communities where all people could thrive”.
On an individual level, my suggestion to grow one’s appreciation for the power of the arts is simple: Go see more art in person. Art in all disciplines – visual, live music, theater or dance performances, etc. We are so lucky to live in a metropolis with many free events so there is something for everyone (check your local radio station like KCRW for regular updates). There are free summer concerts and wonderful art in the Metro stations! If you’re uncomfortable that you won’t “get it” when viewing visual arts, I suggest finding a docent-led tour if available. Or, ask the security staff a question – I’ve learned lots of interesting things at museums and galleries from these people who get to spend hours on end with the work, and often have unexpected and fun insights. Also, less (doom) scrolling, more reading books!
So put your phone away and get out there. You may be surprised how much more delight and connection you find by experiencing the arts in real life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.christinerasmussenart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinerasmussenart/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinerasmussenart/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@christinerasmussenart
- Other: http://www.billiswilliams.com/christine-rasmussen.html