Christine Lee Rennie
Christine Rennie is a Richmond-based artist known for her floral paintings and vibrant collage work. Her style includes the use of organic shapes, texture, and bold color palettes. Collectors of Christine’s work are drawn to the joy it inspires and the playful vibe it brings to their homes.
A self-taught artist, Christine plays with a variety of brush strokes. From full, textured bristle marks to thick dabs of opaque colors to gradient blending, she doesn’t shy away from any technique that helps her achieve compositions that embody balance, contrast, and unity. While her impressionistic style looks effortless, Christine studies her subjects intensely. She gets to know the biology of plants and flowers and follows their life cycles, patterns, and temperaments. She is an avid gardener, which helps her paint with an accuracy that can only be achieved when an artist knows their subject intimately.
In addition to her paintings, Christine is also well-known for her collage work. Most notably, she creates silhouettes of children and pets. Classic versions of silhouettes make an impact with negative space — Christine’s work has a twist. Clean lines are filled with colorful bits of dried paint palettes, bringing the vibrancy people have to come to expect from her work. Christine captures the details that tug at your heart strings: a signature cowlick, the curved eyelashes of a child, the profile of a chin that has been passed down for generations.
Christine grew up in a creative home and has been painting since she was a child. Art is her therapy and a way to bring positive energy and joy to the world. There are very few days when she isn’t in her home studio. It is a space that energizes and refreshes her. Her love for her craft shines through in everything she does, and it is no surprise that her popularity as an artist continues to rise.
A self-taught artist, Christine plays with a variety of brush strokes. From full, textured bristle marks to thick dabs of opaque colors to gradient blending, she doesn’t shy away from any technique that helps her achieve compositions that embody balance, contrast, and unity. While her impressionistic style looks effortless, Christine studies her subjects intensely. She gets to know the biology of plants and flowers and follows their life cycles, patterns, and temperaments. She is an avid gardener, which helps her paint with an accuracy that can only be achieved when an artist knows their subject intimately.
In addition to her paintings, Christine is also well-known for her collage work. Most notably, she creates silhouettes of children and pets. Classic versions of silhouettes make an impact with negative space — Christine’s work has a twist. Clean lines are filled with colorful bits of dried paint palettes, bringing the vibrancy people have to come to expect from her work. Christine captures the details that tug at your heart strings: a signature cowlick, the curved eyelashes of a child, the profile of a chin that has been passed down for generations.
Christine grew up in a creative home and has been painting since she was a child. Art is her therapy and a way to bring positive energy and joy to the world. There are very few days when she isn’t in her home studio. It is a space that energizes and refreshes her. Her love for her craft shines through in everything she does, and it is no surprise that her popularity as an artist continues to rise.
Artist Statement
Every artist has signatures that, if you look closely enough, mark their work. These characteristics say a lot about the artist: their inspiration, the emotions they experience when creating work, and the style they have developed after years of honing their skills. My work is no different.
I am inspired by the impressionists and how they were able to capture everyday subjects with a whimsical, more lively feel. Joy is what I feel the most when I sit down at a canvas — unbridled joy and endless possibilities. My style, regardless of subject, is organic, high energy, and bold. My final works showcase a variety of techniques including full, textured brush strokes, thick dabs of opaque color, and gradient blending. What most viewers can’t see, and what I think gives my work its signature feel, is the work and energy that goes into the underpaintings. Rarely do I sit down with a final destination in mind. I start my underpaintings by brushing in uncontrolled swirls and surges. This is my way of infusing my work with a sense of wild wonder. I often find myself creating tie-dye patterns or drippy ombre bleeds. This free flowing creativity sparks whatever will become the final painting.
As impulsive as my underpaintings are, the composition that builds has structure and detail. My floral works have intricacies that I am able to capture because I know my subjects intimately. An avid gardener, I study all parts of the plant life cycle before I ever start to paint it. I know the ways in which light changes proportions and air breaths a uniqueness into every bloom. I give my subjects permission to take on their own individual qualities and trust my process.
In its final form, my work is vibrant and cohesive. Each painting is meant to bring the joy I feel when creating to anyone who views it.
I am inspired by the impressionists and how they were able to capture everyday subjects with a whimsical, more lively feel. Joy is what I feel the most when I sit down at a canvas — unbridled joy and endless possibilities. My style, regardless of subject, is organic, high energy, and bold. My final works showcase a variety of techniques including full, textured brush strokes, thick dabs of opaque color, and gradient blending. What most viewers can’t see, and what I think gives my work its signature feel, is the work and energy that goes into the underpaintings. Rarely do I sit down with a final destination in mind. I start my underpaintings by brushing in uncontrolled swirls and surges. This is my way of infusing my work with a sense of wild wonder. I often find myself creating tie-dye patterns or drippy ombre bleeds. This free flowing creativity sparks whatever will become the final painting.
As impulsive as my underpaintings are, the composition that builds has structure and detail. My floral works have intricacies that I am able to capture because I know my subjects intimately. An avid gardener, I study all parts of the plant life cycle before I ever start to paint it. I know the ways in which light changes proportions and air breaths a uniqueness into every bloom. I give my subjects permission to take on their own individual qualities and trust my process.
In its final form, my work is vibrant and cohesive. Each painting is meant to bring the joy I feel when creating to anyone who views it.
Curriculum Vitae
Dress The Room Charleston - Every Summer Tells A Story (Group Show) June 2021 - Charleston, SC
Beach Gallery - Falling For Art (Group Show) September 2021 - Virginia Beach, VA
Art For The Home - On Paper (Group Show) January 2021 - Richmond, VA
Dress The Room Charleston - Christine Rennie (Solo Show) February 2021 - Charleston, SC
Gild And Ash - The Fall Artist Collective (Group Show) September 2019 - Richmond, VA
Expressions Self And Art - Christine Rennie (Solo Show) September 2019 - Richmond, VA
West End Gallery - Spring In Bloom (Solo Show) March 2018 - Richmond, VA
Liza Pruitt - Christine Rennie (Solo Show) December 2018 - Richmond, VA
Page Bond Gallery - Art For A Cause (Group Show) October 2016 - Richmond, VA
Stewart Gallery - Efflorescence (Solo Show) October 2015 - Richmond, Va
Beach Gallery - Summer Of Flowers (Solo Show) August 2014 - Virginia Beach, VA
West End Gallery - Gallery Opening For Christine Rennie (Solo Show) May 2014 - Richmond, VA
Beach Gallery - Falling For Art (Group Show) September 2021 - Virginia Beach, VA
Art For The Home - On Paper (Group Show) January 2021 - Richmond, VA
Dress The Room Charleston - Christine Rennie (Solo Show) February 2021 - Charleston, SC
Gild And Ash - The Fall Artist Collective (Group Show) September 2019 - Richmond, VA
Expressions Self And Art - Christine Rennie (Solo Show) September 2019 - Richmond, VA
West End Gallery - Spring In Bloom (Solo Show) March 2018 - Richmond, VA
Liza Pruitt - Christine Rennie (Solo Show) December 2018 - Richmond, VA
Page Bond Gallery - Art For A Cause (Group Show) October 2016 - Richmond, VA
Stewart Gallery - Efflorescence (Solo Show) October 2015 - Richmond, Va
Beach Gallery - Summer Of Flowers (Solo Show) August 2014 - Virginia Beach, VA
West End Gallery - Gallery Opening For Christine Rennie (Solo Show) May 2014 - Richmond, VA
Press
Canvas Rebel
https://canvasrebel.com/meet-christine-rennie/
South Carolina Voyager Magazine
https://southcarolinavoyager.com/interciew/rising-stars-meet-christine-rennie-of-charleston/
Virginia This Morning - Top 6 picks CBS6 News
www.wtvr.com/on-air/virginia-this-morning/virginia-this-mornings-top-6-picks-ways-to-make-mom-feel-special-this-mothers-day
Ask Artist - World Press.com
https://askartists.wordpress.com/2016/01/10/christine-rennie/
Artist Spotlight _ A Dash of Solt
https://adashofsolt.com/2020/11/16/artist-spotlight-c-l-rennie-art-and-design/
Art for the Home ~ Whittney Forester
https://www.artforthehome.co/christinerennie
"Showing the world what your soul says about you" ~ By, J.Travlers
https://askartists.org/2016/01/10/christine-rennie/
https://canvasrebel.com/meet-christine-rennie/
South Carolina Voyager Magazine
https://southcarolinavoyager.com/interciew/rising-stars-meet-christine-rennie-of-charleston/
Virginia This Morning - Top 6 picks CBS6 News
www.wtvr.com/on-air/virginia-this-morning/virginia-this-mornings-top-6-picks-ways-to-make-mom-feel-special-this-mothers-day
Ask Artist - World Press.com
https://askartists.wordpress.com/2016/01/10/christine-rennie/
Artist Spotlight _ A Dash of Solt
https://adashofsolt.com/2020/11/16/artist-spotlight-c-l-rennie-art-and-design/
Art for the Home ~ Whittney Forester
https://www.artforthehome.co/christinerennie
"Showing the world what your soul says about you" ~ By, J.Travlers
https://askartists.org/2016/01/10/christine-rennie/
Christines work is currently represented at these fine art galleries.
(Click image link below to view Christine's available work at these locations)
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