Today we’d like to introduce you to Christy Stallop.
Christy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. Even though I currently live in Austin, I will always think of myself as a West Texas girl. I was exposed to the arts at an early age, taking classes in ballet, piano, ceramics, and art. I received a degree in art education from St. Edwards University in Austin and taught art at a small tier 1 charter school in East Austin for 11 years. During that time, I was involved with the Austin chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and was the Illustrator chair for ten wonderful years. When my boys went off to college, I decided to take a year long sabbatical from teaching in order to paint full time. At the end of the year, I decided to submit my letter of resignation and have since enjoyed my new direction, painting full time.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The road hasn’t been smooth, but it hasn’t been bumpy either. I would say that the road has had many wonderful detours. Everything I’ve done in the past has helped me get to this point and I am grateful for every step.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for?
I am interested in all subject matter from landscapes to figurative work but I think I am best known for painting grackles. I never intended to paint so many local blackbirds. It started with an extension class at UT Austin. I wanted to learn how to paint using oil so I signed up for a class led by Jon Eric Narum, who is an amazing painter. Our first assignment was a small painting where we were supposed to make something simple. An image of a bird blowing a bubble popped into my head and I decided that would be my subject. The assignment was a week long, but I was so enamored by the feathers and how the oils worked that I never moved on to another piece. I worked on that small 8×8 for the entire class and learned quit a bit in the process. After the class ended, I started thinking about other fun things grackles could do.
My next painting was of a grackle knitting, followed by my luchador paintings, which I still paint today. A grackle is a perfect subject for me. They are funny, brash, and quite whimsical. I see a lot of myself in them and I use them to express my ideas and feelings.
What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of my large 8 ft grackle sculpture named Ganador. After painting a larger than life 6 ft grackle and having it hang in Austin’s City Hall, I decided that an 8ft. tall grackle sculpture should be next. I created a small sculpture first to see if I could translate my vision into 3d and then applied for a TEMPO grant through the city of Austin. I received the award which was exhilarating and frightening at the same time. I really had to push myself artistically and physically. It was an amazing experience and I will be forever grateful to AIPP and the Austin’s Cultural Arts Division, Economic Development Department for taking a chance on me. I gained a huge amount of confidence in myself through that experience.
What sets you apart from others?
My point of view. One of the things I love about painting is the work’s ability to connect with people. A painting I create is usually quite personal to me with a story behind the images, often bittersweet. Once I toss it out into the world, it takes on a different life. Some may simply see a lovely painting that makes them smile, and I love that. That is how it all started, but sometimes the story comes through and reaches someone on a deeper level…that is magic.
Contact Info:
- Email: christy@christystallop.com
- Website: www.christystallop.com/
- Instagram: @cstallop
- Facebook: C. A. Stallop
