Christa was born in Pigeon, Michigan and was inspired to draw at an early age by her mother, Lena. Her father, Ralph, is 90 and remains her #1 fan. He helps prepare some of her surfaces before she paints them. As an adult, art took a back seat to raising four children. During this time, she worked hard at being self-sufficient by perserving all of the family's food and competed in US National Speed Rollerskating events in her "spare" time.
As her family got older, Christa took up painting, with the encouragement of friends who talked her into displaying her work. She is drawn to the beauty of simple, yet profound things that are normally overlooked. Her depictions of Biblical imagery evoke an earlier period of art with soft colors, attention to detail and quiet dignity to the people and animals. She often paints on scraps of lumber, antique furniture and even a door or window.
Her husband Brent is a talented wood-carver. He has been creating animals and people in the "old-style" without using modern tools for over 30 years. Christa and Brent will sometimes collaborate on a piece, with her painting highlighting his well-crafted surfaces.
Their art reflects their way of life. They eschew most of the technical aspects of today's world and appreciate life on their Michigan farm. One of their favorite activities is sitting around a campfire with their dog Indie, watching their chicken, ducks and peacocks and being inspired for new work.
