Ingrid Christensen is, first and foremost, a painter of light. Her work is an ongoing exploration of light’s ability to elevate even the most mundane object into the glowing subject of a painting. Christensen focuses on still life and figurative genres, painting from life whenever possible, but knowing that all paintings are, ultimately, the work of memory. In the time it takes to make a painting, flowers fade and models leave. What’s left is the impression that the artist has of the original scene, stripped of detail – a distillation of the subject.
Her figurative work is often based on photos from her family’s history, with memory and nostalgia playing important roles. This personal connection infuses her paintings with a depth of emotion and storytelling that resonates with viewers.
Ingrid is in demand as a workshop instructor both online and in person. She strives to inspire her students with the wonder of the craft of painting, making them look beyond the surface of their art to its rich, inner depth – to the potential for painting to act as communication and self-discovery.
Ingrid wrote, and was featured in, several Winsor & Newton Masterclass videos filmed in London, UK. Her art has won both national and international awards and has been highlighted in International Artist, Avenues, and Arabella magazines. Ingrid has contributed articles about painting and creativity to Artsy Online Magazine.
Based in Canada, Ingrid’s work is held in permanent public and private collections worldwide.
EDUCATION
2013 – Painting the Alla Prima Portrait with Ignat Ignatov, Scottsdale, Arizona
2010 -Painting from Life workshop with Zhaoming Wu, Edmonton, Alberta
2006 – Watercolour workshops with Brent Laycock, Tim Packer, Brian Atyeo, Ray Cattell, Tony Batten, and Lori Lukasewich, Calgary, Albert
1995-96 – Studied glassblowing, ceramics and metalsmithing at Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary, Alberta
1994 – Studied silversmithing from local artisans, Chiang Mai, Thailand
1987-88 – Bachelor of Education, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario
1982-85 – Bachelor of Arts,and English, University of British Columbia,Vancouver, BC
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL EXHIBITIONS & AWARDS
Nov. 2012 – “Autumn in the Okanagan” group exhibition, Tutt Art Galleries, Kelowna, BC
April 2012 – Honourable Mention “FCA Classic” national exhibition, FCA COC Kelowna, BC
Nov. 2011 – “Small Gems” group exhibition, Rendezvous Gallery, Vancouver, BC
June 2011 – “Peaks of the Canadian Rockies” ASA travelling exhibition, AB
April 2011 – Award of Excellence “TNSC Artist’s Choice” juried national FCA exhibition, Kamloops, BC
Aug.201o – Awarded Centennial Art Commission for Alberta Pharmacy Association Edmonton, AB
Oct. 2010 – Gold Medal Winner “Art Visions 2010”, juried national FCA Exhibition, Kelowna , BC
Sept. 2010 – “New Arrivals” group exhibition, Collector’s Gallery, Calgary, AB
April 2010 – “New Members Work”, ASA Exhibition,Calgary, AB.
Oct. 2009 – Gold Medal Winner, Art Vision 2009, hurried National FCAExhibition, Kelowna, BC
June 2009 – Symposium Internationale Jean-Paul Lapointe, Chicoutimi, QC – Winner of Prix Chapeau (Artists’ Choice)
Aug. 2008 – First Place “Journeys into Art”, Leighton Art Centre, Calgary, AB
April 2007 – Juror’s Choice FCA Calgary Chapter, Calgary, AB
March 2007 – Juror’s Choice “Human Figure”, Federation Gallery Vancouver, BC
Nov. 2006 – Two paintings selected Juror’s Choice, Calgary Chapter, Calgary, AB
EXPERIENCE
2009 – present – CALGARY SCHOOL OF ART, Calgary, Alberta – Oil painting instructor
2005 – present – IC ART STUDIOS, Calgary, Alberta
Active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and Alberta Society of Artists
COLLECTIONS
Alberta Pharmacy Association head office, Edmonton, AB, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, private collections in western Canada, southern USA, Mexico, and Norway.