“A life without music and art would be hollow. They speak to something primal in all of us. Great art is ephemeral and intangible and somehow our most important human expression. Art, music, nature and science, these things tell us who we are.”
Chris Weller (B.F.A. Painting) draws bridges. But they’re not just any bridges, and they’re not just any drawings either. Recently, her work received a stellar review from Artist Daily.
Weller chose to attend Western Michigan University more out of circumstance than anything else, but she now knows that, academically, she “lucked out.”
“From foundation drawing, painting, and art history classes to the intimate size of the department, I received an extremely solid education at WMU,” she said.
At the time, Weller’s father was head coach for Bronco Hockey; her brother, Glen, was a student; and her mother was a nurse at Sindecuse Health Center. After being accepted at several other Universities, Weller felt WMU was the best fit.
As a member of the Lee Honors College, Weller focused her attention on art. She completed several exhibits as a student and even had one of her paintings purchased for Western’s Permanent Art Collection.
“The freshman field trip to the Chicago Art Institute was very important,” Weller recalls. “It was the first time I saw master paintings in person and even after living in New York for almost twenty years, that experience taught me to never take that opportunity for granted.”
She also attended many hockey games, and noted that her ‘connections’ at Lawson made her popular with friends.
Today, Weller is focused on her body of work drawing bridges. During her childhood, Weller lived in Houghton for a time, and remembers the large lift bridge that connected it the Keweenaw Peninsula. The image was part of her daily landscape for nearly a decade and left a mark.
“Here in New York the bridges and buildings are the urban landscape that surround us,” Weller explains. “I’ve always loved walking under them and am constantly amazed by their power and perspective.”
The collection consists of seven drawings, each 36’ x 48’ charcoal on paper. The stunning drawings feature the Brooklyn, George Washington, Manhattan, Queensborough, Verrazano, Williamsburg, and Triborough Bridges.
Weller says that when she begins to work on technically difficult drawings, such as her bridges, she relies on her earliest art classes in perspective, composition, and technique.
“My parents supported me being an artist but I never entertained the idea of pursuing art without formal training. My university education and experience was invaluable.” Weller explained. “When I go to openings or museums, I have a solid art history foundation to draw from. When I go to my figure drawing sessions here in New York I have years of experience which are grounded in the drawing classes I had in college.”
Weller encourages budding artists, students, and even alumni to go to openings and museums, keep a sketch journal, connect with other artists, check the Friday Art Section of the NY Times, enter shows, email work to galleries, build a website, and get on Instagram—but not to wait for inspiration to appear to start working.
“Musicians must practice their scales and we must draw. One of my instructors at Western gave me the best advice I ever got. He warned me, ‘Inspiration is for amateurs.’ Being an artist is a job like any other in many ways. Find a studio or set aside a corner in your home and just do the work. Inspiration will pop in and out, but only if you are working.”
Weller also notes that an artist’s life can be very isolated and to take advantage of the rare opportunities college provides.
“You will never again have so many knowledgeable people around you whose purpose is to help you develop your skills and deepen your knowledge of art history.”
To read the review from Artist Daily, click here.
Learn more about Weller and work at her website, chriswellernyc.com.