Christianna Driggs

I found a painting technique to explore. It suits my personality because it is spontaneous and has a mind of its own.

I apply a coat of oil paint—liberally mixed with a solvent-based medium—onto a smooth, gessoed panel or a stretched canvas.

As I paint, I spatter, stroke, poke, and swish images and geometric shapes—whatever comes to mind.

I enjoy watching the components of oil pigments deconstruct, forming all sorts of interesting results. Each pigment’s own personality mingles with the solvents. The results are serendipitous and three dimensional.

Dry panels shine like photographs, and canvases resemble water colors. The oil paint gives the work a fuller, richer body. The entire process is a dance between oil paint and solvent, choreographed by hand and brush.

I follow where the paint leads, never knowing exactly what will emerge. Each painting is like a journey into an unknown country.