Christopher Orion Bleich

Christopher was born in the mountains of New Hampshire, which may have sparked his intense love for the great outdoors. A large portion of his love for nature belongs to the sea. Christopher feels that following the sea is a family tradition. He loves the ocean and other water environments and expresses that love in his sea scapes, riverscapes and waterfalls. This love is shared with his father and his grandfather who both spent much of their lives at sea.

He was introduced to sailing at an a very early age on his father's yawl, the Pipe Dream. Christopher has a dream to own a boat, and to sail around the world painting, surfing and exploring. He feels that he will always feel at home when he is near the ocean.

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Surfer's Prayer was written for Christopher when he returned to Hawaii to ride the Big Ones. January 2001, He purchased his first home at Diamond Head on Oahu.

Christopher started painting at an early age and grew up surrounded by art which gave him an appreciation for all creative endeavors. Aside from painting, he loves to listen to different types of music, and like his father he enjoys playing the guitar. He also has a creative interest in writing which he is pursuing with great enthusiasm. While living in Hawaii he was inspired to write a poem called Dragon Wings which you can read below. He is also currently working on a childrens book which he will illustrate. He wants to inspire other people to use their imagination, not only in his writing, but also through his painting. When you look at one of Christopher's paintings he is sharing a piece of himself with you. He wants the experience to be like a mini vacation. It isn't always possible to actually travel, but it is possible to always imagine. You can picture yourself being at the location of the painting, wandering down the beach or path, and have time stop for just a few moments. It can be a form of meditation and relaxation, or whatever you want it to be.

Along with painting with George, Christopher has also become his traveling partner. In the summer of '97 they traveled around the world painting and enjoying themselves. Jonathan, the youngest brother in the family was with them on this trip. George, Chris, and Jennifer (the gallery director) went to Hawaii for a week of painting. Chris lived in Hawaii for a little over four months, but decided to move back to California to study with his dad. He plans to go back someday due to his love for the islands and all of their treasures.

Chris participated in a paint-in at the Gardens of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

Christopher's paintings have a bold style yet they contain soft transitions. They posses a peaceful mood using subtle harmonies and a gentle touch.

The Young Man and the sea with a great future ahead. Chris started painting plein aire at the age of 3 on family painting picnics. At 5 years of age he was painting along with his Dad and members of the National Academy and Cowboy Artists of America, in Colorado Springs. Chris is an excellent draftsman and has a natural sense of composition.

The painting at the right shows Chris's feeling for pictorial depth and the sense of freshness he captured in a Yosemite spring morning.

"A Yosemite Spring Morn"
SOLD

The painting trip around the world with his brother, Jonathan, and his dad increased Chris' s awareness of the opportunities for pleasurable adventures that being a plein aire painter held for him and his collectors who are waiting to see his new paintings. The majority of his exciting works started on that trip have been sold. His personal highlight was to paint at Monet's Giverny. The superb painting he started there,

"The Close of A Wonderful Day"

(30x36) sold for $3,000.

A Close of A Wonderful Day

"Git Git Falls," Bali
24x30 -- $1800
SOLD

Chris' painting of the Git Git Falls in Bali (left) reflect an intimate knowledge of and feeling for painting the subtleties of water. Click on the thumbnail at the left to see a larger version of this available painting.

In contrast, his pyramids at Giza, Egypt, (right) portray his flexibility in responding to beauty that walks the edge of opposites. Click on the thumbnail at the right to see a larger version of this available painting.

"Pyramids of Giza," Egypt
16x20 -- $500
SOLD

The painting "Git Git Falls" was a bit of a challenge for Chris due to his colorblindness. What to some artists is a problem is a blessing in disguise to Christopher's unique color expression and superb control over color values. The variety of greens in the foliage comes out in his painting and he also captures the movement of the waterfall very well. This piece can bring a world of relaxation to your home.

Painting the "Pyramids of Giza" was an opportunity to capture one of the ancient wonders of Egypt. The day before we had ridden camels up the path in the foreground and actually got to climb up one of the smaller pyramids. It was a very inspirational to see the size and beauty of the pyramids in person.

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**Christopher, like his father, is a poet as well as a fine young artist**
Dragon Wings One day while laying among the daisies a dragon happened by I looked into his magical eyes and dreamed that I too could fly He whisked me up through the clouds far from that which is bad He said he knew of a special place where it is not possible to be sad We flew over hills and through trees past a village made of cheese We soared over countries, states, and towns and made everyone smile who once wore frowns We picked up passengers that wondered why, even one funny green and purple guy On we flew by the wings of a dragon, I realized I could fly I just have to imagine!