Growing up on a farm and ranch in Texas had a profound impact on my art. At a young age I developed a strong connection with nature. Even as far back as then, I longed to share the feelings that the outdoors brought to me. Through my art, I try to recreate those feelings - those brief moments when you experience something special with nature. Because of this, many of my works have a feeling of moments in time: a brief shaft of light streaming though a forest at dusk, or a view that is magnificent, even for a brief instance. The places I portray are mostly gathered from my travels around the world and from the places I have lived. However, some are imaginative drawings from vague memories, made up sketches, or even daydreams.
I favor a style of painting that closely resembles traditional watercolor. American master watercolorists such as Winslow Homer, John Singer Sergeant, and William Trost - Richards have had a large impact upon my style. Modern Masters such as Peter Saw (to whom I owe much of my learning too), Robert Wade, Trevor Chamberlain, Malcolm Beattie, and Tony Couch have influenced my work even more so.
I like to paint in a style that is representational, but still very much recognized as a painting. I often try to capture the feeling of an element with the fewest strokes possible. However, I like to also be able to use detail when it better expresses the feeling I want to communicate.
I am self-taught, and I often enjoy learning about watercolor and teaching it just as much as I do creating it. My early career was in the field of ecological sciences, and this scientific background has led to me having an unusual interest and understanding of the science behind watercolor paints, methods, and other aspects of the trade. I have been an elementary school teacher for nine years now, and I love to give my students the opportunity to work with proffesional equipment to see what watercolor can really do.
I teach ongoing classes, private lessons, and do commission projects as well.
I sincerely hope that you enjoy my work. But more importantly, I hope that you feel something, remember something, or have any other emotional reaction to my work (good or bad!).
Chris Berdoll