Creatively Thinking

  I'm honored and truly grateful to share that my piece " Shelter " received the Gale Wilcox Award, a Special Merit Award at the 38th Northern National Art Competition held at Nicolet College in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Juried by interdisciplinary artist, educator, and curator Jalesa Johnston, this national exhibition showcases a wide range of powerful, contemporary two-dimensional work. I’m incredibly thankful to be included in such a vibrant and inspiring show. Juror Jaleesa Johnston reflected on Shelter , saying it “really captures the emotional central movement of the oceans. It straddles a line between a representational work and an abstract—just like the ocean. I feel like I’m in a boat in the middle of the ocean.” Thank you to Nicolet College, the Northern Arts Council, and everyone involved in making this exhibition such a meaningful experience. Shelter was a deeply personal piece, and it’s humbling to see it recognized in this way.

Featured image: Northwoods A heartfelt thank you to everyone who visited during the Northwoods Art Tour this past weekend. It was such a joy to welcome you into my creative space, share conversations about art, and see so many familiar—and new—faces. Your interest, encouragement, and thoughtful presence mean more than words can express. I truly believe in the power of art to keep our communities colorful, curious, and deeply connected—and your support helps make that possible. Thank you for making space in your weekend for creativity, for celebrating the arts, and for reminding me why this work matters. Until next time—stay inspired, stay bold, and keep color in your world. Blessings to all,  Christine

  The Northwoods Art Tour kicks off today , and I’d love to welcome you into my creative space! This self-guided tour is your chance to visit working studios, meet local artists, and experience the creative spirit of the Northwoods in full swing. From expressive paintings to unexpected 3-D works, each stop offers something different—and you just might discover a piece that resonates with you. You’ll find me at Stop #13 in the brochure. Come say hello, explore the work, and enjoy the beauty of art in the Northwoods. 🗓️ July 25–27 Learn more: https://christinealfery.com/pages/northwoods-art-tour

 Featured image: Dancing with the Wind and the Trees In my backyard forest, the trees aren’t in rows. They are scattered about. Below are huge pines and saplings, aspens whose leaves are flat and twist and turn in the breeze. In my forest, the ground is moist and spongy. There are deep, deep brown mosses, fallen bark, and dried fall leaves from years ago.  In my forest, there is a very dense canopy.  Sunlight peeks through in some spots. In my forest, trees growing along the lakeshore have roots exposed from the soft sandy soil. These roots look like branches with no leaves, but they are powerful, muscular roots that bring life to the tree. While walking in my forest, I listen to squirrels performing high-wire acts from tree to tree. I breathe slowly, full of gladness. There is magic in my forest.

  The Northwoods Art Tour is almost here, and I’m excited to invite you into my creative world! This self-guided tour is a rare opportunity to explore working studios, connect with local artists, and experience the vibrant energy of the Northwoods art scene. From painting and sculpture to unexpected 3-D creations, every stop offers something unique—and you might just find that one piece that speaks to you. You’ll find me at Stop #13 in the brochure. I’d love to share what I’ve been creating and chat about the inspiration behind it all. 🗓️ July 25–27 🔗 Learn more: https://christinealfery.com/pages/northwoods-art-tour See you there!

  Featured image: Part of the Whole One who rises Rises of himself. One who falls, falls from Himself. I don’t remember where this quote comes from, but it is a definitely contemporary rewrite of Ecclesiastes 4:10.

  Featured image: Hawk III Image of Wings coming soon. I have just finished three pieces of art, two of which I have been very excited about for some time, "Wings" and "Hawk III."  They are going into the Manito Art Exhibition.  60th Annual Art Show July 17-20, 2025 Manitowish Waters Community Center I am calling them "Wings" and "Predator" for the exhibition. I had to name them early for the entry form, but as I was finishing, they took on different names. These two pieces have been the focus of my journal for some time, and upon completing them, I found they didn't live up to the hype I had built up in my mind.  Has that ever happened to anyone else?  These end thoughts about the two pieces are choked with all those wonderful, creative thoughts that occurred when I was creating the works.  "Grrrrr... go away. Why are you here?" Has this ever happened to any of you? I close my eyes - listen quietly - breathe deeply, become one with...

  The Northwoods Art Tour is just around the corner, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it! This self-guided tour is your chance to step into working studios, meet local artists, and see creativity come to life across the Northwoods. From painting and pottery to sculpture and more, each stop on the tour is filled with inspiration—and maybe even that perfect piece you didn’t know you were looking for. You’ll find me at Stop #13 in the brochure. I’d love to show you what I’ve been working on and chat about the process behind it. Hope to see you there! Learn More HERE.

  Featured work: Why Do We Have Art There are many ways to be creative. The beauty of creativity is that there is no right and wrong way. Creativity begins with abstractions that need to become – to become visible, to become an idea – just to become to become.   Creativity is unique to the one who is creating – defined by spirit, the heart, and the soul of that individual.    Scientists are creative. Da Vinci knew that.  “To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art; Study the art of science. Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.“ Artists are creative. Da Vinci knew that too. “Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art.” “Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.” It takes a creative mind to see a concept from an abstraction – to understand what it is. As children, we all begin with a creative mind. Creativity stops when we put limitatio...

  Featured image: The Creative I believe mystery is at the heart of creativity. Surprise is too. All too often, we call ourselves creatives, but what we really want is to feel like artists—productive, inspired, original. Yet if we’re honest with ourselves, we don’t always feel that way. I include myself in that truth. There are so very, very few times I feel like an artist, like I’m truly creating—but when I do, I know it. I sense the mystery, I feel the surprise. And I know those of you who long to be artists, who long to create, feel it too. It’s glorious, isn’t it? I often ask myself how I can feel that way more often. The answer is always the same: trust the process, not the product. And that’s hard—because there’s pressure coming at me from so many directions.

    Featured image:   Fences “FREEDOM lies just beyond the fences we build around ourselves.”  James Nathan Muir

  Featured image: We Are Connected The stories we, as artists, tell when we create and the powers we release during the process are our unique ways of interpreting the world. Each interpretation is a one-of-a-kind history we leave behind; no one else has a history like ours. Our personal experiences in the world belong to us alone. We create our good, and yes, we also make our own bad. If we align with the creative spirit within ourselves and allow ourselves to share it with others, it can be a daunting and intimidating thing to do. Why? Because we became very vulnerable at that time. If we create our good, we can trust in our authenticity and that of others.  I believe that when a viewer evaluates a completed piece of art, they are seeking some spiritual connection with another, and then another, and then another; the process is fluid. The fluidity is the spiritual connection to the artist's spiritual power. And this spiritual power is only felt by an authentic artist.