Contact Emily for prices of her original work
Email her at Emilychristoff@aol.com.
Call her at 757-856-3855
Read her daily blog Emily Christoff Daily Paint
See her published illustrations at www.andcandysmiled.com
Emily
Artist’s Statement
When Emily draws she listens to the music that has had the most impact on her life. This music inspires her to create pieces where the viewer can feel her own personal emotional response to song. Painting the figure immersed with a decorative patterned background represents the spirit becoming submerged in the phenomenon of music. She also believe that the mingling of photo-realism with decorative elements plunges the viewer into a deeper state of consciousness. Her intention is to first seduce the viewer with her technique, then catch them unaware by the story of the piece, which is autobiographical in nature. The viewer is then thrust into a mysterious narrative in which there is significant information, but not quite enough clues to finish the story. She wishes for them to create their own fantasy conclusion about what she personally experiences when listening to music.
Emily received her Bachelor’s in Fine Art from Bowling Green State University in Ohio where she focused on life drawing. While still in art school she began selling portraits as a career. She has taught portraits since 1984 and continues to support herself with portrait commissions and teaching privately. She currently teaches pastel classes at the Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, teaches pastel workshops and teaches privately from her home studio in Newport News, Virginia.
Awards
Best of drawing at the Port Warwick Art and Sculpture festival in Newport News, VA 2015 for the full body of work
Recipient of the French Canvas award at the international Pastel Society of America’s 44th Annual Open Juried Exhibition, 2016 for “Listening to Mozart”
First place winner, Occasion of the Arts in Williamsburg VA, 2016. For the full body of work.
Second best in show at Art at the River, in Yorktown, VA 2016 for the full body of work.
Honorable mention at the Charles H. Taylor Arts Center, Virginia all media show for “Listening to Maynard Ferguson”
First place in pastel at the Momma Juried Art Competition, 2016 for “Listening to Mozart”
Honorable Mention at Hampton Arts League Open Members Exhibition 2017 for “Listening to Amazing Grace”
Second place at the Mid-Atlantic Pastel Society for “Listening to Maynard Ferguson. 2017
Second Place at the 2017 Women Painters of the South East competition for “Listening to the Grateful Dead”
Honorable Mention at Crossroads All Media Show, October 2017 for “Listening to John Lennon".
First place in drawing at the all Virginia show at Charles Taylor Arts Center, 2018
Honorable mention at the Hampton Roads Art League for 2018 "Orange Slice".
Best of show for body of oil paintings at RVA ART 2018
Best of Drawing for "Listening to Widor", Charles Taylor Art Center, 2018
Listening to Mozart" published in the Strokes of Genious 10, Best of Drawing" 2018
Award of Merit for "Strings 1,2, and 3" Charles Taylor Art Center Miniature show, 2019.
Best of show for MAPS, The Virginia branch of the International Association of Pastel Societies, "Elly" 2019
Best of show for MAPS, "BLM" 2020
Member
Member of the Mid-Atlantic Pastel Society
Member of the Hampton Arts League
Signature member of the Pastel Society of America
Member of the International Pastel Society
