Local Art at Wine Down

June Artist of the Month – Christopher Christian

Christopher Christian, a Pisgah Forest resident, brings a thoughtful and refined perspective to his work in clay after a 35+ year career as an architect designing and building multinational projects. Now retired, he is able to fully explore his passion for ceramics while enjoying cycling, hiking and the vibrant arts and music community of Western North Carolina.

Chris was first introduced to ceramics during his graduate studies in architecture, where he was drawn to the simplicity and transformation of the medium. What begins as a material that can be shaped and washed away with water evolves through heat and fire into something lasting and permanent. This contrast to the complexity of architectural design continues to influence his work today.

Working with both Raku and electric kiln firing methods, Chris creates wheel-thrown and hand-formed pieces including bowls, vases, platters, canisters and hanging vessels. His process often involves carving, texturing and subtly altering forms, allowing each piece to develop its own character.

Inspired by the natural beauty of the surrounding mountain environment, his work explores form, texture and the balance between positive and negative space. Through experimentation with glazes and clay bodies, Chris creates pieces that feel both grounded and expressive, inviting a closer look and quiet appreciation.

July Artist of the Month – Stephen P. Jackson

Artist Statement:

The creation of art is almost always a joyful experience for me.

I have been an artist all my life, although other careers have been the source of my financial sustenance.  Art is an escape and part of my mental health plan.

Formal training for aspects of art is primarily from my studies at North Carolina State University, where I attended the School of Design to study Architecture.  In addition to architectural design classes, I also took courses in printmaking, photography, color theory, and life drawing.  Back in the 1970’s, prior to sophisticated computer 3-D drawing programs, we did hand sketches and drawings of our building designs.  Thus, an understanding of the rules of perspective, color, and light/shadow were integral to producing realistic drawings of buildings and their environs.

Knowing “the rules” makes it more fun to break them!  Therefore, I don’t try to paint detailed, photo-realistic images.  Instead, my images are more meant to convey the feeling or mood of a place.

My art primarily uses flat surfaces (paper, canvas, etc) as the base of the images.

Over the past 40 years, I have used watercolor, pastels, pen and ink, charcoal, oils, acrylic, wood block prints, photography, marker with colored pencil, and collage.

Inspired by landscape impressionist painters in 19th century France, and 19th/20th century Australia and the US West, (as well as the nature photos of Ansel Adams), my primary painting emphasis is Transylvania County, North Carolina and its endless mountain subject matter.  With a plethora of rivers, lakes and waterfalls, I enjoy capturing the movement and reflections on water, as well as our vibrant and ever-changing skies.  The human figure in natural settings also appeals to me.  I am not bound by one style or subject matter, so my art emphasis changes over time.