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"As an artist
I find myself constantly looking, visualizing, researching and comparing. I find
new materials and techniques. I get excited and have to try something new. I
have so many ideas that it's hard to keep up! I used to think this was a bad
thing - "stick to one thing… one medium… one genre." But no, that isn't who I
am. I pick up my paintbrush and paint the landscape and before you know it I
pick up a leaf, a twig, some pine needles. I cast them in silver and bead them
into a necklace in the colors of the landscape. I wrap them with wire, in
silver, in copper. I add pearls and gems and crystals. I create my favorite
hiking trail into a necklace that I can wear. The trail leads me to some new
horizon or maybe into the past where I'm influenced by my collection of vintage
jewelry and purses. Fantasy pieces created by designers long gone. Art Nouveau,
Movie Star Bling, Funky and Chunky Jewelry from the '50s, Hippy Girls and
Flappers. And before you know it, I'm creating my own version of Nouveau Vintage
Boho Bling."
Biography
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Chris with Nubby and Scout |
Chris is an artist working in a
variety of mediums. Since 2004 she has spent most of her free time working on
painting in oil and pastel. She also likes to spend time with other
artists, learning about their art. In 2008 she
started beading for fun with a group of local women and told them "don't get me
hooked on this..., I'm easily addicted..." Well, famous last words. So, now she
spends her time shifting between painting and jewelry making. Not a bad way to
live.
Chris has a Bachelor of Arts / Fine Arts degree from the
University of South Florida. Like many aspiring artists, she found it necessary
to get a "real job" and several years after finishing college went back to school to study computer technology.
She
spent many years working in New York City as a software developer and systems
analyst. One day she decided it was time to give up the corporate world
and again went back to school; this time to study photography at the Rocky
Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, Montana.
After moving to Colorado, Chris focused on fine art photography
exclusively, especially black and white, infrared, hand tinted works and
Polaroid transfers. Her
photographs were sold at several local Evergreen galleries including Hiwan Gallery,
Evergreen Gallery and Shadow Mountain Gallery.
Experiments in alternative photographic methods eventually led
her to pursue more painterly techniques and it was only a matter of time before
she started experimenting with acrylics on various surfaces. In 2005, she
started taking classes in pastel and later oil at Foothills Art Center and the
Art Students League of Denver.
She continues to use her photography skills in both her work as
a home-based web designer and as reference material for her paintings. She feels that the years spent working as a
photographer and in the darkroom have proven to be invaluable tools to
understanding light, color and value.
 In
2007, Chris and her husband Dan Orlikowski built a 24 x 28 detached garage with a fabulous art
studio above. The new art studio provides new opportunities to work on multiple
projects in different mediums. Having the luxury of space has allowed Chris to
work in larger sizes.
 "The new art studio has become my other home! I find
myself getting lost in my art and losing all sense of time. It's so exciting to
be able to work on a painting and then turn right around and create a piece of
jewelry. All
of my supplies and equipment are right there all of the time. Having
a studio is really a dream come true."
Chris currently studies at the Art
Students League of Denver as well as the Center For the Arts - Evergreen. She
has taken classes with many Colorado artists/teachers including Joshua Fallik,
Doug Dawson, Susie Hyer, Steve Tracy, Don Sahli and has taken mini workshops with Pem Dunn and Ken Valastro.
She is a member of the The Art Students League of Denver,
Center for the Arts Evergreen, Evergreen
Artists Association and is a founding member of
Artists With Altitude.
As a jewelry artist, she is
self-taught and enjoys experimenting with all sort of materials and techniques. In
2009, she taught herself how to work with Precious Metal Clay and now makes hand
made fine silver pendants with this wonderful medium. She also teaches a PMC class at the Center for the Arts, Evergreen (www.evergreenarts.org).
Shows & Events
2010
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"More Passion", Artists With Altitude Annual Show, January
& February, Rotary Gallery At Center Stage Theatre, Evergreen, CO
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Alpine Fine Arts, Denver, May 2010
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Open Door Studios, Artists of Evergreen, September 2010
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Paint, Sculpt, Shoot, Center For The Arts, Evergreen,
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"Beads, Baubles and Bling", Holiday Gift Show in my
art studio, November, 2010
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Evergreen Crafters in downtown Evergreen, CO representing
original jewelry
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Evergreen National Bank: The bank hosts an on-going display
featuring the work of Evergreen Artists.
2009
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"Passion", Artists With Altitude Annual Show, February
13th through February 27th,
Center for the Arts, Evergreen
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Frames For All Reasons, Evergreen, Guest Artist. March 1 - 31st.
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Standley Lake Library Grand Reopening, Arvada, Colorado. Guest
Artist, March 21st - April 30th.
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Open
Door Studios, Artists of Evergreen, September 19th and 29th.
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Paint, Sculpt, Shoot, Center For The Arts, Evergreen,
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"Beads, Baubles and Bling", Holiday Gift Show in my
art studio, November 7, 2009
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Evergreen Crafters in downtown Evergreen, CO representing
original jewelry
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Evergreen National Bank: The bank hosts an on-going display
featuring the work of Evergreen Artists.
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EAA Fall Members' Show at Center For the Arts Evergreen, October
30 through November 20th.
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Artists With Altitude Group Exhibit, Standley Lake Library,
Arvada, CO
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Holiday Art Show at Center For the Arts Evergreen. Friday,
November 27th - December 31st.
2008
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"A Burst of Color", Rotary Gallery, Artists With Altitude Group
Show, March 8th to April 6th
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100 for $100, Center for the Arts Evergreen, April 18, 2008
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Evergreen Artists Association Gallery, Center for the Arts
Evergreen, April - May 2008
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Summer Art Market, Art Students League of Denver, June 14th &
15th
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Evergreen National Bank Lobby, Ongoing show (juried, new show
quarterly)
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Open Door Studios, Artists of Evergreen, September 20th and 21st
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Artists With Altitude, Painted Toe Society Joint Show, Center
for the Arts Evergreen, June, July
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Evergreen Artists Association Annual Fall Juried Show: October 24th - November 14th.
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"Art In School: Montessori Welcomes Artists: Invitational
exhibit and sale,
Montessori School of Evergreen, December 11 - 13th.
2007
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"Wild Things", Rotary Gallery, Artists With Altitude Group Show,
April, May 2007
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Mini March Madness, Arts Students League of Denver, March
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100 for $100, Center for the Arts Evergreen, April
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Bow Wow Benefit, Saks Gallery, Denver, May
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Summer Art Market, Art Students League of Denver, June 9th &
10th
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Exploration: A 21st Century Exhibition, Center for the Arts,
Evergreen, June
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Paint, Sculpt, Shoot, Evergreen, Center for the Arts Evergreen,
September, First Place Award
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Evergreen Artists Association, Fall Juried Show
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Open Door Studios, Artists of Evergreen, September 20th and 21st
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Molly Brown Summer House, Artists With Altitude Miniature Show,
November 3rd & 4th
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Evergreen National Bank Lobby, Ongoing show (juried, new show
quarterly)
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Center For the Arts, Evergreen, Christmas Gallery
2006
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"Showstoppers", Foothills Art Center, Jan - March
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A Closer Look at Colorado, Lakewood Arts Council Juried Show,
South Union Gallery, Jan - Feb
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100 for $100, Center for the Arts Evergreen
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Mt. Vernon Country Club Show Sponsored by
Foothills Art Center
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Summer Art Market, Art Students League of Denver
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Paint, Sculpt, Shoot, Evergreen, Center for the Arts Evergreen,
September
Professional Organizations:
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Oil
Painters of America
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Artists
With Altitude
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Evergreen
Artists Association
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Art Student
League of Denver
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Evergreen
Area Chamber of Commerce
Publications:
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Canyon
Courier, Visual Arts, Gallery Events, March 2008
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Canyon
Courier, Visual Arts, Gallery Events, September 2007
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Canyon
Courier, Community Arts, March 2007
Feature Article:
"Painter finds her true passion in life"
By Sara Miller
January 21, 2009
"Chris Coyle Orlikowski has finally figured out what she wants to
be when she grows up. Tucked away in her second-floor studio in Evergreen, Coyle
is downright giddy as she leads a tour of her creative haven and her artistic
career."
Click here
to read the full article from the Canyon Courier.
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