When we came across Chris Celusniak’s work at Blue Genie it made us stop and stare in wonder. The detail that goes into every piece is beyond incredible, truly. We love that he’s a Houston boy as well! ATX Nation has a fantastic description of Chris’ work that we want to share:
Chris’ art shows a hidden depth of stories within stories that come together to create the whole picture. The eclectic works derive their form from patterns, improbable vintage, and a world of endless color. Viewers look into the canvas and find the intimate spaces within the larger whole, to read the narrative of its inhabitants, each with a story to tell. Chris works to create a window on a feeling that both he and the viewer may share.
Chris filled out our questionnaire and we also encourage you to read the bio on his Heartmade page. You’ll be excited to meet him on May 4th!
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Spending time with my wife, son, and daughter
Which living person do you most admire?
The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
What is your greatest extravagance?
Wasting time!
What is your current state of mind?
Texas!!
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
What's not to like about Aristotle's 12 virtues? Unless they are at the cost of a person's well-being.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
The Gary Cooper gene passed me by.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Ethicalness
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Empathy
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Don’t shoot the piano player.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My family
When and where were you happiest?
Right this second. Oops it's gone...
Which talent would you most like to have?
Thankfully I have it, my artistic talent.
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
Be more gregarious
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Being a father
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing what would it be?
Saxophone player at Le Moulin Rouge
Where would you most like to live?
What is your most treasured possession?
My Father's war internment camp diary
What is your most marked characteristic?
My dry humor
What do you most value in your friends?
Their gift of friendship
Who are your favorite artists?
Edward Burne-Jones
Mort Kunstler
Maxfield Parrish
Which local artists or makers most inspire you?
Haley Celusniak, my amazing daughter
Who are your heroes in real life?
Alexei Ananenko
Valeri Bezpalov
Boris Baranov
What are your favorite names?
Ziggy
What is your motto?
Always look deep to see the stories within the stories.
From Vanity Fair: "The Proust Questionnaire has its origins in a parlor game popularized (though not devised) by Marcel Proust, the French essayist and novelist, who believed that, in answering these questions, an individual reveals his or her true nature." We've taken the original Proust Questionnaire and modified it a bit for our artists and makers so that they can share more about themselves with all of you. Check out the series to see how they all answered.
