Chris Hrynyk became an artist out of frustration. Literally.
He had dabbled in being an artist before, at Virginia Park arts core elementary school to be exact, but gave it up to become a surly teenager and an even surlier adult. Most of his adult life has been devoted to kitchens and the creation of gourmet food.
A few years ago, upon being told that he required a hobby or a pastime to burn off a great deal of angry energy he purchased himself an art kit and a sketchbook from Michael's. This art kit contained felt pens, pencil crayons and pastels in 25 different colors. It would be an exercise in art therapy and essentially a way to relax that didn't involve any real thought.
From those early days of dark, angry scribbling in a sketchbook to the use of acrylic paint and canvases up to 36 square feet the feelings and inspiration for his art have remained constant. He has to be angry or frustrated in order to paint. It may sound a bit odd but the anger is used as a tool, not only to help bring about some peace for the artist personally but to focus his random frenetic brushstrokes into cohesion.
Hrynyk launched his newfound secondary career through sales of his early work to interested or sympathetic co-workers and friends. Moving next to shows in hair salons, retail stores and restaurants throughout Edmonton he eventually had his first gallery showing entitled simply " Cities" at ArtBeat Gallery in St Albert . He has also shown his work at two further shows later in 2008 ("40 Cubed") and early 2009 ( "Collective").
The artist has also donated numerous pieces to charity auctions in an effort to raise funds for worthy causes such as The Christmas Bureau, Sorrentino's Garlic Stomp 2009, 2010 and The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
He hopes that the development of this website will help to incease his chances of quitting his day job and moving to New York (his muse and the subject of many of his pieces) to become an artist when he grows up. Buy his art, support the dream.