We recently connected with Christine Rose Curry and have shared our conversation below.

Christine Rose, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

At an early age, I had an interest in art. Thankfully, my parents noticed this, and enrolled me in some classes to fill my time after school, and during the summer months. I continued with an art curriculum through high school, and eventually went to art school for college. Graduating with a painting emphasis, BFA from the Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Through all of these studies, I learned the basics of painting, art history and dabbled in a variety of other forms of media. Today, I still do a lot of painting and some muraling, but I have been more focused on creating what I call “plastic assemblage paintings”. These are creations that I make from plastic refuse that is then transformed into art.

While I have seen many artists work with plastic refuse, and other forms of waste or trash. I would say that it’s not a “conventional” art material. So, there really isn’t a huge source of information available. Like there would be if searching for techniques on painting, or information on how to draw, etc. This is part of what makes working with this material so fun for me, but also frustrating at times. That’s why it is important for me to remember that I am still learning! I’ve been painting for most of my life, and working with plastic waste materials for close to 10 years, but I learn new things about both painting and plastic every day.

There has been a lot of trial and error experimenting, and also learning from what limited teachings there are available, or observing other artists working with the same material. Trying new things, and just never giving up. The new and unknown is also what adds to the excitement.

Knowing what I know now, I think it is important to not be afraid. It’s something I still tell myself today, almost daily. It can be scary putting your art on display, or trying new things, but pushing through that fear allows me to try new techniques, and it has helped me learn and grow.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi I’m Christine Rose Curry! I’m an artist and muralist from Colorado. I love the outdoors, animals (especially cats!) art, sci-fi, horror movies, history, and all of these things (and more) contribute to my creations. My paintings are rendered in vibrant colors, energetic design and underlying narratives, which are often inspired by my interests.

I am an associate member at EDGE Gallery, in the 40 West arts district, and represented by Blo Back Gallery in Pueblo, Colorado. Both galleries feature contemporary artists pushing the boundaries of thought, and experimenting with techniques through art. It’s a huge honor to be included at both places, surrounded by other hardworking artists, and it’s amazing to have their support and encouragement.

I show my work at both of those galleries annually, through solo shows, or group shows. I also love to expand to other venues. There are so many fun annual art shows in the Denver area: Casa Bonita Show at NEXT Gallery, Dark Hearts at Kanon Gallery, Skull and Bones at Memento Mori Gallery, and even a chicken themed show at the 40 West Arts Gallery. All fun exhibits that take place every year, and I try to get into one, or more of those shows every year as well.

Along with paintings and plastic assemblages, I also do murals. There are a handful throughout the front range. At elementary schools, shopping centers, Castle Rock Bike and Ski, and Crowfoot Valley Coffee. My art is also on display at Crowfoot Valley Coffee and Castle Rock Music through out the year.

I’m always trying to stay busy with my art and exhibitions. I keep my social media platforms updated with anything I’m doing. Artworks can be purchased through the galleries, Castle Rock venues, or directly through me, with an email. Thank you so much for your time and interest in my art!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I was younger, elementary to high school aged, I physically never felt right. It was a depressing mixture of tiredness, forgetfulness, and just being out-of-it all the time. I would go to the doctor on occasion, but I was never really diagnosed with anything. So, I just kept on going. It did slowly, but progressively get worse. Then, when I returned home after my first semester at college, my family really noticed something was wrong. I think being away, then coming home, the absence made them realize just how “tired” I was, and along with some other visible symptoms, they were very concerned.

Finally, after seeing a new doctor, several agonizing months and many more doctors, I had a diagnosis. Thyroid cancer. Not debilitating, but left untreated life threatening, and I had probably been living with it for a while. Although a scary diagnosis, I was actually kind of relieved to finally figure out that not only was there something wrong (it wasn’t just my imagination), but what that something was. With a concrete diagnosis, I could finally move forward, and hopefully start to feel healthier.

Living that way required a lot of resilience to just keep going. I had received an art scholarship to Western State, but with the way I was feeling and the treatment I was facing, I had to drop out of school. Now, I’m happy to say that I am cancer free, and I never gave up on finishing my art degree, and pursuing a creative career.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I love art books, and art history. I think it is important to know some art history if you’re a serious artist, or even just a basic knowledge for anyone is beneficial (some will disagree). So much art has been made throughout history, and practiced everywhere around the globe, it’s really fascinating. Art is often linked to so many other subjects and parts of humanity; politics, medicine, mathematics, ideology, etc. Anyone can relate to art, in some way, in my opinion.

I kept all of my art books from college, because they are all really quite interesting, but one that has helped me as an artist, and continuing to be an artist is “Art & Fear: Observations On The Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking”, by David Bayles and Ted Orlando. An art book, without any art images! It’s just about being an artist. What that means as an individual, as a career, in society. The struggles of making art, along with the rewards. Not being afraid, and never giving up. An inspiring book. I think about it a lot when I’m trying something new, or struggling to keep motivated.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ChristineRoseCurry.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christinerosecurry/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/artbychristinerosecurry/

Image Credits

All images courtesy of the artist.