Meet Christie Gunter Joy | Impasto Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christie Gunter Joy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christie, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Consistency in your work, quality, routine, product/materials and thought. I have continued to paint almost daily. I practice, create and repeat. I have stretched my abilities and added new genres but I have found people respond to my tried and true Impasto style. Collectors can count on me to bring color and happiness to their home or office. They know that I put love and time into every piece. Consistency has built my reputation and served me well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Vibrant, bold, colorful and hopeful describe my work. I go to sleep dreaming about my next piece. I create in my color palette and then design from there. I have always said that God is the ultimate artist. Every flower, animal, person is a direct reflection of his goodness. This is what inspires me. Knowing this I take time to paint each piece carefully and thoughtfully. Every brush stroke is there for a reason. Nothing is haphazard in my work. I am intentional. I have learned throughout my practice you must stay true to yourself/your style. I will see another artist and become intrigued with something they are doing and try it. No matter how hard I try to make it different my style shows through. A very wise mentor told me- It’s your authentic style. You cannot suppress it. Your gift will come out. I was so grateful for this conversation. She said, I can always spot your work in a collection. You have a definite style. Stay with it. Be consistent. Nurture it. Perfect it. This is what sets me and my work apart!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dallas visits entail the Botanical Gardens first! Peace,Inspiration and happiness there. They do an excellent job of maki g each season beautiful. The Design District is next. A walk down the street can lead you to some many creative ideas for your space. By this time we need to refuel. We are in Texas so we must eat out state food, Mexican! There are so many options here. Joe T Garcias is a big one here. After we are full then a stroll through Deep Ellum art alleys for murals and the Kettle One Gallery. The next day down the road to my hometown Tyler. Your day is filled with the Rose Garden, Studio Art Lounge, Gold Leaf Gallery, Tricia’s Rose City Frame Shop, Papacitas or Mannys for Mexican food then Kiepersol winery to finish our day.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Uncle Jack Parkhurst was an amazing artist. He would always have his sketch book. Family dinners you tried to look your best because he would pick one of us out and start drawing. I love having these timepieces to look back on. He painted everything from hyper-realism to church bulletin illustrations. He had a studio upstairs and if we were lucky we could peak into his world. Brushes, photo labs, pencils, canvases, it was all magic to me. I never entertained the idea that I could or would be like him one day. Letting go of my perception of what an artist must paint led me to my true style. I have now found d my style that is miles apart from Uncle Jacks but nevertheless inspired by him.

Website: http://ChristieGunterJoyArt

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