Kristine Andrea paints chickens, amongst other things. When you walk into Bluerock Gallery, chances are you will be stopped at some point by one of her pieces clucking out at you (figuratively speaking).
They are eccentric, they are stoic, they are stunning, and above all else, they make you think and smile.
Andrea herself boasts a diverse collection of work, from farm animals to human forms, and all of it is striking. But her chickens, her chickens cluck volumes.
“The chickens were so candid, and they have great expression,” remarked Andrea.
"We've tried a different subject once and that didn't do as good as the chickens and birds. It seems like that's the real connection."
She takes her inspiration from the chickens of Instagram, but delivers with them a personality that is big enough to fill any room.
"As a child I was scared of chickens and turkeys,” remembered Andrea.
“I lived on a farm so when you're little, they chase you. Vicious things. That's what I remember about them."
Perhaps it was these early memories that imprinted such a unique perspective of the common fowl into her brain.
An avid world traveller, she spoke of the various countries she has travelled to and time and again found herself captivated by the presence of chickens.
Andrea has had a shorter ride to the top than most, having only painted professionally for the past 3 years. But art has always been in her.
She won an art competition as a kid, and it was something that never left her.
When she returned to paint several years later, she took to it with a desire and effortlessness that catapulted her into her first sale. Naturally that first sale involved chickens.
"I usually start my canvases as an abstract background and then I apply whatever animal or subject that I feel wants to be on it."
"That's usually what happens, I'll paint the background and then I'll sit on it."
Aside from the chickens, glancing around her studio you might catch a soulful moose or a serene loon. She has also dived into other farm creatures like sheep and highland cattle.
Each of her animal pieces command a sort of subtle presence of the viewer. There is more detail upon consideration than at first glance, and the eyes of each subject leave an impression.
"I feel very lucky that my journey is gone really really quickly,” reflect Andrea.
“I've had quite a few artists ask me how I made that happen.
“I wish I knew the magic formula, other than I do believe in positive thinking and I do believe that, you know, the law of attraction will happen if you deserve it.
“There's a little bit of luck. I can't wait to see where I'm at even 10 years from now what that will look like and what I will be painting."
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