Jennifer McChristian
Jennifer, born and raised in Montreal, Canada, has always known from an early age to pursue art. Upon completing high school, Jennifer began her art education at Dawson’s College in Montreal, Canada. In 1986, she and her family took permanent residency in California, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Art Degree with Honors from Otis Art Institute in 1990
For the following eight years, Jennifer was employed as a full-time animation artist and worked on projects for various studios throughout Los Angeles. Simultaneously, she served in the military reserves for five years. During this time, Jennifer continued to pursue her artistic aspirations. Her studies consisted of painting classes under the tutelage of renowned artists such as Robert Blue, Karl Dempwolf, Scott Burdick and Steve Huston. She admires and is inspired by notable artists such as John Singer Sargent, Anders Zorn and Arthur Streeton.
Jennifer paints primarily in oils and occasionally watercolors. She has adapted a painterly, impressionist style that expresses her affinity for nature. “Plein-air painting is somewhat of a spiritual experience for me. Although challenging at times, the end result evokes within me a sense of elation, nostalgia and harmony. When I succeed in conveying those sensations to the viewer, I know I have made an emotional connection with them” In addition to the landscape, other subjects that pique her interest consist of the human figure, animals and still-life.
Since 2000, Jennifer has devoted herself to painting full-time and actively participates in art events. She conducts an ongoing, uninstructed figure drawing/painting workshop twice a week out of her spacious 1200 square foot studio (that she refers to as the ‘sanctuary’) located in the heart of Los Feliz Village, CA. She also finds the time to pursue other artistic interests such as classical ballet. Jennifer believes learning is a never ending process and continues to develop and refine her artistic talent through workshops, research, travel and frequent excursions to museums and galleries. Jennifer currently resides in Los Angeles, CA with her significant other Ben Fried and a magically inclined calico cat named Bamboo.
Selected Group Shows, Solo Shows and Awards
SELECTED GROUP SHOWS:
2007 - “Contemporary Masters, Artistic Eden” Pasadena Museum of History, Pasadena, CA
2007 - “A Decade of Inspiration” Bedlam Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
2007 - “GET:ART” Annual Fundraiser, Bonhams and Butterfields, Los Angeles, CA
2006 - “Treasures” Segil Fine Art Source, Monrovia, CA
2006 - “Winter Group Show” Aarnun Gallery, Pasadena, CA
2006 - “42nd Pasadena Showcase House of Design” Pasadena, CA
2006 - “Salon International 2006” Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX
2006 - “Live Draw!” DAC Fine Art with Human Rights Project, Los Angeles, CA
2006 - “Music and art in the Park” Glendale Orchestra Assoc. and Segil Fine Art Source, Glendale, CA
2005 - “3rd Annual Small Works Show” Segil Fine Art Source, Monrovia, CA
2005 - “Jardins En Plein Air” Whites Gallery, Montrose, CA
2005 - “The 39th Annual Mother Lode Art Exhibition” Our House Defines Art Gallery, El Dorado Hills, CA
2005 - “Winter Group Show” Segil Fine Art Source, Monrovia, CA
2005 - “Annual Russian Winter Ball Fundraiser” Los Angeles-St. Petersburg Sister City Committee, Casa Del Mar Hotel, Los Angeles, CA
2004 - “Holiday Show” Aarnun Gallery, Pasadena, CA
2004 - “Second Annual Holiday Small Works Show” Segil Fine Art Gallery, Monrovia, CA
2004 - “Spring Salon” The Arroyo Collection, Pasadena, CA
2004 - “CAC Annual Ebell Club Exhibition” Los Angeles, CA
2003 - “Fall Salon” The Arroyo Collection, Pasadena, CA
2003 - “Ode to the Open Road” The Arroyo Collection, Pasadena, CA
2003 - “Artist’s Choice” Women’s City Club, Pasadena, CA
2002 - Melrose and Mississippi Gallery, La Canada, CA
2002 - “Paintings of the Old Mill” California Art Club Gallery, San Marino, CA
2002 - “Paintings Created in the Studio-Still Life and Figurative” Women’s City Club, Pasadena, CA
2002 - “East Valley Association Open Art Show,” West Covina, CA
2000 - Film Roman, Inc., N. Hollywood, CA
1994 - Otis Parsons Main Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
SOLO SHOWS:
2007 - “Forgotten Places Remembered”- Solo Exhibition Segil Fine Art Source, Monrovia, CA
2006 - “Off the Beaten Path”- Solo Exhibition Segil Fine Art Source, Monrovia, CA
2003 - “First Steps” Patrick’s Cafe@The Local Hang Gallery, Glendale, CA
AWARDS RECEIVED:
2005 - Award of Merit - The 39th Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition
2004 - Third Place - Second Annual Holiday Small Works Show, Mountainside Fine Art Gallery
2002 - Honorable Mention - East Valley Art Association
DEMOS AND WORKSHOPS:
2007 - San Gabriel Fine Arts Association (2 hour demo) - San Gabriel, CA
Jennifer's Website
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