Instead of the Cross, the Albatross

The Pirate's Daughter

Stories From the Sea.... to be continued.... 

Art Show Feb 12th! In.Fringe Gallery

February already! Where did the time go? I can't believe how fast the days are moving of late, I can barely keep up.

Please join a frantic (and possibly tipsy) me at the grand re-opening of In.Fringe Gallery on Friday, February 12th.

The show coincides with the Belltown 2nd Friday Art Walk (starts at 6pm), so there will be tons of art to ogle, refreshments and fun for all.

In.Fringe is located in downtown Seattle at 100 Taylor Ave. N. Suite A2
You can find information on the Belltown art walk, and a handy map of galleries here.

Hope to see you there!

x10

The Things We Do To Stay Sane

It's been a busy year so far, and we're only a month into it. I've got a lot of irons in the fire, too many perhaps. There's a wedding to plan, two art shows coming up, a whole batch of images swirling in my head just waiting to get out, and I recently discovered the hazards of shipping paintings.

In a valiant effort to allow each painting time to develop, dry, evolve and layer, I ended up starting a second one, a third then a forth... numbers five and six are scratching away wildly behind my eyes, begging to be put to canvas, but so far, I've held them at bay.

Was doing my daily photo entry -- found here for those interested: http://www.flickr.com/photos/christenshaw/sets/72157622993073285/ -- and thought I'd share today's picture on my ever neglected blog... here are the four paintings I've been working on in various stages of completion, from color blocking to done (or almost, I keep futzing with the last one).

For now, time to feed the dogs...

Siren Song

In 2010, I am determined to be less impatient and allow paintings to unfold at their own pace... here's the new one. 

A review from the Fremont exhibit!

While at the opening for my exhibit at Fremont coffee I met Anthony, a local art blogger, and his daughter, Natalie. He wrote up an excellent review of the show. I am reposting a snippet below.

"Do you remember horror movies before the in-your-face death and destruction and bloodletting that began with Alien, perhaps, or maybe Halloween? The horror then was psychological, and always perceived, than shoved in your face.

That is the type of art Christen brings us. There is no way to label her work other than dark. Dark, is a given. But the questions that her work poses - what is going on here? - are much more potent and thought provoking than what lies on the surface...."

You can visit his blog by clicking the title of this post to read the whole review. If you are a fan of local art, enjoy Seattle's frequent artwalks and/or just want to know what's happening in the art world, I recommend his blog. It's both informative and all encompassing.

After the Blitz

Gone is the Unicorn... the Tiger, Zebra and Deer still await loving homes. They are available for the low adoption fee of $45 each. Stop by Bauhaus Books & Coffee to see if one or all would be a good match for you!
Last night was good fun, thanks to all for making it out and then staying up way too late drinking at Linda's to benefit VERA Project and the kids and the future of rock n'roll.

Tonight, off to VERA to watch Black Houses and Schoolyard Heroes tear it up.

Art is Officially up at Bauhaus

Paintings are officially hung and available for viewing (and purchasing if the mood strikes) at Bauhaus Books & Coffee. This is the first time I have ever hung on a bookcase... very odd, but kind of cool... the Fear, Phobia paintings are hanging upstairs... sorry, no pic, you'll just have to go see for yourself!!

They will be up through July 31st, and Bauhaus will be participating in Capitol Hill Art Blitz (2nd Thursday of the month).

Black Houses

I have new paintings in the works! Nothing I am ready to show yet, but maybe soon... the series will be called "Secret Animals" and I am pretty stoked about it so far. It is going to be a little lighter than my usual fare, a little softer.

I will also be hanging artwork from the "Age of Innocence" and "Fear, Phobia & Pharma" next week. They will be up at Bauhaus Books and Coffee throughout July, so please stop by and check it out next time you find yourself on the Hill.

In the meantime, I thought I would share some artwork I did a while back for a band called Black Houses (the title links to their site if you wanna check it out!). Hope you enjoy!!

The past is never dead...

Ever have one of those days where things just seem off? You put on your favorite t-shirt and it fits funny, your shoes feel too big, you struggle with your hair and it just won't sit right, you knock over everything you touch... the kind of day where the only thing you can do is say screw it...

So, screw it.


This is an older painting, the only one from a batch I did in 2005-2006 that I haven't sold. I don't know why. I just like it. There's something magical about poppies, they make me happy.

Quote for today: The past is never dead. It's not even past. -- William Faulkner

Strange Dreams

When I was a kid, I used to have this recurring dream about tornadoes. It was always the same, I would be sitting in the frame of a house, just a ceiling, floors and beams, like the place was only half built, in the middle of a huge field of tall brown grass. There were no mountains or buildings anywhere in sight, and I could see from one horizon to the other. The sky was always cloudy and purple, the air perfectly still. A funnel would form from those purple clouds, touch the ground and head towards me and my frame of a house.
These dreams were never frightening; instead, I was always filled with a sense of calm and would wake up well rested and at peace. I'm not sure what any of it means, but ever since, I have been obsessed with tornadoes.
This piece was originally called Elizabeth's Dream... below it is my photo muse.

Clarabelle's Secret

I love raccoons. Something about their cunning intelligence, their bright eyes shining mischievously through their dark masks. In pictures, they look so cute and cuddly, in reality, they are huge and can be completely evil.

I thought they would make a perfect backdrop for Clarabelle, the perfect guardians of her nasty little secret. Included is the daguerreotype photo that served as inspiration for the painting. Surly, pensive, just a hint of anger... I wonder what this little girl's secret could be?

The Cabinet of Curiosities

I found an old cabinet in a free pile down the street from my house the other day. It was filthy, covered in plaster and caulk and painted a chipped and disgusting primer grey. It had clearly been being used as a work cupboard in someone's garage. On the upside, it was on wheels for easy transport, has doors that latch to keep the dogs out and is the perfect size and shape to house a stereo and records.

I spent most of yeste

rday and a good chunk of this morning sanding it down, painting it and sealing it with a coat of polyurethane. I decided to go with a carnival/freakshow kind of theme, and the Cabinet of Curiosities was created.

Apparently, Billie thinks it would also make a nice, new dog house. My next domestic project will be to refinish the dinner table and chairs.

I have also had an idea for a new series of paintings rattling around in my head. The images are becoming clearer in my mind every day, and I think soon they will start calling to be put to canvas. 

In the meantime, I am working on finishing up a couple more paintings from the Fear, Phobia & Pharma series. I will post as they are completed. Click the title of this post to go to my gallery and check out the ones that are done.

That's it for now... time to go out and enjoy some sunshine!