Ally Christian

Curatorial Rationale

Attention to Detail

For my exhibition, I have incorporated pieces that reflect some of the aspects of my life that I find most important. Music is the primary element that inspires my artwork. Along with being a visual artist, I am also a musician. The instruments I play and the songs that I write and listen to often correspond with the artwork I create; whether it be drawings of my guitars or portraits of my favorite musicians. 

My favorite medium to work with is colored pencil. I like the control and precision that the pencils allow, as well as the amount of detail they are capable of achieving. I enjoy being able to layer the colors and add the intricate details that are an essential part in creating realistic drawings. When working with colored pencils, portraits are my favorite type of drawing to create.

Along with colored pencils, I also enjoy working with pen and using a stippling technique. Thousands of tiny dots on a page that make up a picture is a form of art that fascinates me. I love the dramatic drawings that I am able to create with black ink while working with pens. Stippling artwork involves tremendous attention to detail which fuels my interest and expands my creativity.

As an artist, I am constantly in competition with myself, and I work extremely hard to improve my drawing ability. Because I enjoy drawing realistically, I am always striving to make my drawings more detailed and accurate. With each piece I create, I am planning and discovering how I can make my next piece even more advanced than the previous one. I rely heavily on self-reflection and personal critique as a means to perfect my craft. It is that passion and desire to improve that continues to motivate me to explore innovative ways to create artwork. 

The pieces I have selected for my exhibit all have a story and a purpose for which they were created. Sometimes there is an emotional connection, however other times the end result is simply the product of exploration. As I advance as an artist, I would like to focus on the small details that make up a drawing because I believe that is the most important element in realistic artwork.