Chris Stiles

My whole life I have been interested in art and in trying to understand the creative process.  When I look at something someone has done, I try to see the subject as they saw it.  I try to understand what drew them to the features they emphasized or ignored, and to ponder.  Sometimes I might think on a subject I have viewed for years before I make a decision one way or another.

So, you must understand that I have been aware of and considered Chris Stiles and his work for at least 5 years!

Chris is a hard one to know.  Due to his autism, his communication skills are limited.  But, he is a prolific artist.  Oh but that I could produce at his level!

Chris’ art is also hard to understand – in my meaning of understanding.  His approach is very simplistic, almost like a Grandma Moses.  Only his art is closer to the subject he is doing, with subtle differences.  And, that is what intrigues me about this artist.

My connections with his art was when I saw two of his works, the subjects of which I am intimately familiar with.  What stopped me at his display last year was a sketch of a windmill.  I had seen this particular windmill often in my youth, travelling through Holland.  So, his mother shared with me about their trip through Europe and his work doing various scenes during their travels. 

Then I found, in the stacks of pictures, a scene of the Matterhorn towering over the sleepy village of Zermatt.  Zermatt is one of my favorite places and the Matterhorn has been the subject of many of my own paintings.  But, his emphasis was far from mine.  His own unique take on the scene which lay before him as he sat with his pens and paper.  And then I could understand what his mind’s eye captures and wishes to communicate……