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Photography by Scott Christopher
Your parents introduced you to art at a very young age. Did you decide then that you wanted to become an artist, and what was your journey into the art world like? Becoming an artist was not a destination for me, it has always been a way of being, a life force for my spirit and soul. By age six, I had developed a strong desire to make things. Over time this making took many exciting forms, including painting, poetry, photography, drawing, sculpting and making avant-garde films. These disciplines have had a profound influence on shaping my artistic odyssey. The act of creating has always been like breathing. My parents immersed me in the arts, travel and adventure. They encouraged and inspired me to have a curious mind and a love of learning. These gifts have proven to be instrumental catalysts in my artistic life. Vivid art-related recollections from my childhood include:
After graduating, my artistic evolution expanded in New York City for 17 years. As part of this stimulating time creating art and writing, I also studied horticulture and garden design at The New York Botanical Garden, floral design at Parsons School of Design, and creative writing at New York University. Since 2002, when I met my husband, noted artist and former professional baseball champion Scott Christopher, I have made art in our studios in Santa Fe, New Mexico and our past studio in Chelsea, New York City, as well as in many other culturally intriguing locations worldwide. Within your practice you work with painting, photography, poetry, drawing, sculpture and film. Is it important for you not to be defined by a specific style or medium?
I make work that people can experience a personal journey through today and in the future. My art and writings are metaphorical doorways. I create doorways to exploration, doorways to shadow, doorways to light, doorways to discovery and remembering.
The adventure of creating is a passion for me. I love not knowing exactly where a piece is going when I begin it. As an artist, possibility, journey and discovery are thrilling! My creative process is influenced by the medium I am working with and the concept I am addressing. I draw from a rich reservoir of ideas, feelings, thoughts, images, learning and life experiences. And my heart and soul open to the place where I believe everything in the universe is connected. Intuition is a valuable tool I use often. Each of my artworks and writings are stepping stones towards the next that I create. They are part of an evolution, a continuous unfolding. I work with my piece of art or writing until there is an abundance of energy emanating from it. An energy that often pushes the boundaries beyond my knowing, and the traditional sense of images and words. My art is completed when it has become a ‘doorway’.
Artistic assignments have taken you to more than 25 countries. Do you have any particular favourites you can tell us about? Travelling the world and experiencing other cultures greatly influences and advances my creative flow. I have passionately embraced this throughout my life. A few of my favourite memories of artistic projects and cultural intensives include:
Your husband, Scott, is also an artist. What is it like living and working in such a creative atmosphere?
This kind of immersion offers me an environment conducive to exploring and excavating emotionally and intellectually. Ultimately this frees me to cultivate and evolve my creative process and art. Scott and I feel deeply fortunate to be sharing our lives together. We ignite, encourage and challenge each other artistically. There is continuous creative energy flowing throughout our home day and night. To be able to be an individual and have my own voice, but to also be inspired and supported by my lover, best friend, husband… it takes life to another level. It’s a very powerful experience.
Can you tell us about the following series? ONENESS AND INTERCONNECTION In this work I consider the concepts of oneness and interconnection. The forms in nature that echo each other and the energetic interconnection of all that is. The botanical, aquatic, anatomical and cosmic worlds merge in these paintings, creating tapestries of roots and veins, breath and breeze, sinew and sea kelp, symphonies of alabaster and starlight, vibration and pulse, dreaming and being.
In these paintings, I ponder light in all its forms… the external light of the sun… the internal light of the human spirit… literal… metaphorical… poetic… radiant. I find light endlessly fascinating, changing, inspiring and transformative. Light is a form of energy…everything is energy. Light is a wonderfully multifaceted, boundless subject to explore.
My series of mixed-media work addresses life and the endless layers that compose it. The act of living life and the experience of reflecting upon it. My process is work intensive and cumulative. I adhere paper and thread on to canvas and velvet with paint; let the drying process progress to differing degrees; then scrape and pull out sections of the paint, paper and thread. This process reveals layers of colour and discovery. These stages are repeated until the paintings feel energetically powerful and complete. I often reuse pieces of the removed paper and thread… tattered, torn, encrusted with paint…in the current painting and in future paintings… illustrating the reincorporation and re-experiencing of circumstances, thoughts and feelings. This reuse of materials also creates a sense of connection between the paintings… an evolution… continuation… interconnectedness.
The life journey is made up of moments…simple, complex, loud, silent, light-filled and shadow-touched. The mind, heart and spirit experience the universe and all its colours, textures and compositions. The imagination ventures to unknown realms. In this artistic collaboration, initiated in 2003 on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, Scott and I explore the concept of moments, real and surreal, across the wondrous Earth. MOMENTS is a celebration of life, the universe and the creative process. The art of life and the life of art.
The artwork of Elizabeth Hayes Christopher can
The scope of Scott Christopher's work can be found Here.
All artworks appear as courtesy and copyright of Elizabeth Hayes Christopher.
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My advanced learning included studying art history at the Institute of European Studies in London, and art, photography and poetry at Bowdoin College where I earned my Bachelor of Arts Degree. 
These artistic disciplines all inform my art and expression. Each offers unique vantage points and tools to compose with, expanding my creative visions. One style or medium does not define me. You will see, hear and feel my ‘voice’ in all my work. This ‘voice’ is my style, and the broad range of creative forms I work with combine, intersect and complement each other, amplifying the artistic thoughts, emotions and ideas I explore. 
Tell us about your process from the initial concept to final composition?
The deeply important humanitarian and art-related projects of my late father-in-law, Frank Christopher, beginning in 1947, inspired the formal founding of CFFTA in 2005 by Scott and myself. Frank initiated the first photographic exchange between the USA and the then USSR in 1961. His momentous efforts are considered to be the beginning of the cultural thaw between the two countries. 
6. Creating art and participating in cultural events during the Miaoulia Festival on the captivating island of Hydra, Greece, a destination and oasis for international artists. Swimming off the rocks in the Aegean Sea at sunset with Scott, and making art on this island, filled my heart and soul. 
It’s intensely stimulating! Scott and I live life immersed in creativity. 
MOMENTS
