About ck

My name is Chris Kirchner – I am 54 and I am a Charlotte based mixedmedia artist who creates expressive, abstractleaning animal portraits that blend the illusion of realism with vivid color, bold markmaking, and layered textures. My work draws from a wide range of mediums —among others including pastels, oils, Sumi ink, and charcoal —allowing each piece to evolve in unexpected and intuitive ways.
 
My artistic journey began in childhood when anything that resembled paper became a canvas. From lined notebook paper to brown grocery bags, I drew constantly, eventually taking classes throughout school and earning recognition along the way. But like many artists, adulthood shifted my focus toward building a career, and my creative practice went quiet for many years.
 
Everything changed during a layoff a few years ago. While searching for my next role, I turned back to art as a creative outlet and as a way of expression and calmness – creating a portrait of my own dog. That single piece opened a door — friends and family began asking for portraits of their pets, and I rediscovered not only my love for drawing animals but the emotional connection it created for others. As I experimented with new materials, my style shifted from hyperrealism to a more expressive, intuitive approach. I began layering mediums, exploring texture, and allowing color to reveal personality as much as anatomy.
 
Today my work continues to evolve as I explore gesture, mark making, and abstraction to create pieces that invite an emotional response. I often leave intentional space and absence of details for the viewer to “complete” the story — to see something of themselves or their own love for animals in the work. Each new piece reflects my ongoing curiosity and commitment to artistic growth, and I am excited to share this evolving body of work with the community.
 
Thank you for considering my work and look forward to hearing from you!