Why I Do What I Do 

I am an abstract painter. My paintings express my experience of the natural world that exists beyond the noise, busyness and hubbub of the manmade environment.  When I step into the natural world, my senses come alive. I feel the fresh air of the breeze against my skin, I smell nature’s provocative fragrances, I hear the call of the birds, the buzz of insects, or the rustle of leaves, and I see the wonder of the landscape in colors, shapes and the light before me. I find I have relaxed and am at ease.

Painting abstractly activates my brain in a way that representational work does not. I paint intuitively, starting out without a plan and letting the painting evolve on its own as I add layer after layer of color, shapes and marks.As I build my paintings with shapes, colors, compositions, and marks using various natural materials and adding and removing layers I am led to new discoveries and possibilities. In the end, I find that the painting has revealed to me what I wanted to express but didn’t fully understand at its beginning.

I believe art can give us a connection to the natural world that refreshes our souls. Deeply inspired by the natural world, I create to share this mystery and beauty with others. This natural world and the flora and fauna that sustains and inspires us, is desperately in need of our attention. I hope my work nudges the viewer into greater appreciation and discovery of what is there for all of us. Art makes an impact that leads to an appreciation of this beautiful, delicate planet that we call home. A planet that teaches us to appreciate what is naturally there and that begs us to care for it to assure our survival.

Visit me at my studio in Cincinnati’s Pendleton Art Center during monthly Final Friday Gallery Walks. See my work on my website at Chris-Comte.com.