As a child and teenager I loved to draw, and took classes through my school years. But after high school I stopped drawing, and my immersion in art can only be called sporadic at best. After a dry spell of several years I slowly began to paint again after my grandfather passed away. He was my kindred spirit, and his passing affected me deeply. It was still a few years, however, before I finally found my artistic voice and began to paint in earnest. Inspired by my little one, it began as an exploration of that wonderful childhood innocence and the belief that anything is possible. Now, though, I've started to delve into more challenging ideas, those of aging with inner peace, and of faith. Through my paintings I've attempted to bring to life whimsical, happy, carefree scenes. There's enough of pain and misfortune in this world, and when a person looks on my paintings I want them to escape from all of that and into a wonderful and peaceful place in a corner of their mind. Many people ask me why I paint my ladies without mouths. The reason for this is that in this day and age we are often “connected” to others (via our phones mostly) to the point where we miss out on most of what life has to offer. I just recently went to a bagel shop early in the morning and sat down on a small table outside to sketch. Every single person that passed me was talking on their cell phone. No one was experiencing the beautifully clear, crisp morning. If we can just take the time to stop and experience the moment we’re in, perhaps inner tranquility will not be so far off. I love to paint images that reflect the beauty of nature, and then to give it a whimsical little spin. I crave color, and love to bring as much of it into my paintings as I can. All of my work is one of a kind - each is painstakingly created from my imagination. I hope the passion I put into my work touches your spirit in wonderful ways!

Please contact me directly with any questions on artwork for sale, or for quotes to have commissioned work done, at:christina@hoydendesigns.com

...Where grace and spirit are united to worth. Jane Austen

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