Christine Andrews - Mixed Media Artist

Christine Andrews is a contemporary landscape artist who draws inspiration from her deep connection to New Hampshire’s forests and natural areas. Growing up in suburban Manchester, NH, Christine found solace in the small patch of forest behind her childhood home, a place that ignited her creativity and fostered a lifelong love of nature. After initially pursuing art in college, Christine’s curiosity led her to earn a biology degree. Her fieldwork, which included tracking mammals and studying forest ecosystems, continues to inform her artistic practice.

For over a decade, Christine balanced her role as an educator in the biological sciences with her passion for art. Recently she decided to focus fully on her art career, combing her love of nature, education and creativity. She resides in Deering, NH, with her husband, John, and their two dogs, spending her days exploring the outdoors, creating art and designing educational experiences that highlight the intersection of art and ecology.

Christine’s work has been featured in juried art fairs and exhibitions across New Hampshire. She is a juried member of the New Hampshire Art Association, exhibiting in the NHAA tent at the annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s Fair, and is an active exhibitor with Center for the Arts events in New London. Through her art, Christine seeks to inspire a sense of peace and connection to the natural world, fostering appreciation and stewardship of the forests and ecosystems she cherishes.

Artist Statement

My art celebrates the resilience and beauty of nature, deeply rooted in a sense of place and connection. The forests and mountains of New Hampshire have always been my sanctuary – places that recharge me both physically and spiritually. Through my work, I aim to convey both the calming and energizing qualities of these landscapes, inviting viewers to experience their restorative power. My hope is that my work inspires others to find solace in nature, sparking curiosity and a deeper appreciation for its value.

To capture the dynamic energy, I use collaged trail maps as a foundation for landscapes rendered in vibrantly colored India inks. Each piece begins with maps—a representation of place—which I layer onto cradled panels. I then build images through a subtractive and additive process, smudging, layering, and mixing inks directly on the surface. To complete the work, I add fine details with ink or acrylic pens that capture the energy and immediacy of my on-site sketches.

My Process

My 'map' works are created with a foundation of trail/topographic maps on which images are rendered in colored India inks.

Works begin with selection of trail/topographic maps ultimately sourced from OpenStreet Map data. These are brought into a graphic design application, simplified and printed on acid free paper with archival inks.

I collage the maps onto cradled panel boards using a clear acrylic matt medium, which acts as a binder and sealer. Three coats of the matt medium are then applied to seal the paper. I choose a matt finish as it provides a bit of 'tooth' for the layers of ink that will be applied when creating the image. More importantly, sealing the paper prevents the ink from instantly soaking into the paper, which would result in dark colors that all but obscure the map details.

My images are derived from sketches or photographs done while I'm exploring. I may also use a simple digital sketch program to simplify photos and work out compositions. I sometimes begin with a quick ink or acrylic sketch on the maps before beginning the inking process.

Inks are applied in layers and it is often a subtractive process. I apply the ink to the surface, and because it doesn't soak into the paper, I have a small window of working time. I may gently smudge the ink or wipe most of it away leaving the surface lightly stained. Each layer is left to cure so that it is not disturbed as I continue to add ink. Successive layers build and mix color directly on the surface.

As I near the end of a piece, I may use opaque white inks or acrylic to add highlights and black ink pens to add details, much like the sketches I do on site.

The works are sealed with a spray varnish and framed in simple pine floater frames that I finish with Danish oil.

  • Community Engagement & Associations

  • Shows & Exhibits

    2024

    • Gallery of Gifts @ The Library Arts Center - Juried group show, New London
    • League of New Hampshire Craftsman's Fair NHAA tent, Sunapee NH
    • Naturally New England Art Show - Juried group exhibition, The Livery, Sunapee, NH
    • Art Walk in the Park - Art Fair, Peterborough, NH
    • Exploring the Landscape - Solo exhibit , Manchester City Hall, NH
    • All Hearts Statuses - Juried group exhibition, Mosaic Art Collective, Manchester, NH

    2023

    • Pop-Up Art Gallery - Juried art fair, Searles School, Windham, NH
    • Ebb and Flow - 3-artist group show, Healing Arts Gallery, Monadnock Community Hospital, Peterborough, NH
    • League of New Hampshire Craftsman's Fair , NHAA tent- Sunapee NH
    • Uncommon Art on the Common - Art fair, Goffstown, NH
    • Naturally New England Art Show - Juried group exhibition, The Livery, Sunapee, NH
    • Art Walk in the Park - Art Fair, Peterborough, NH
    • The Art of Rhythm - Solo exhibition, Riverwoods Gallery, Manchester, NH
    • A Silent Dialogue with Nature - Group exhibition, Main Floor Gallery, John Hay Estate at the Fells, Sunapee, NH

    2022

    • NHAA Holiday Art Fair - Labelle Winery, Derry NH
    • League of New Hampshire Craftsman's Fair, NHAA tent- Sunapee NH
    • Uncommon Art on the Common Art Fair - Goffstown NH
    • The Utah Trip - Solo exhibition, Riverwoods Gallery, Manchester NH

    2021

    • First Night @ Depot Square Holiday Pop Up Art Fair - Peterborough, NH
    • Uncommon Art on the Common Art Fair - Goffstown NH
    • Words Matter - Body of work group show - NHAA Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, Portsmouth NH

    2020

    • Winter Solstice - Group Exhibit - The Gallery at Depot Square, Portsmouth NH
    • Close to Home - Body of work group show - NHAA Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, Portsmouth NH
    • Perfect Pairings - Group exhibition - NHAA Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, Portsmouth NH
    • NHAA New Member Exhibit - NHAA Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, Portsmouth NH