Chris Erskine
Always trying something new with any available material, Chris Erskine transforms tiny scraps into fantastic assemblages and collages. Although she lives in Michigan, much of her work seems to have a Southwestern flare: tiny shrines, pins, & ornaments crafted with meticulous detail. A big fan of recycling, Chris often embellishes tin cans or cigar boxes with found objects to honor not only religious figures, but cultural heroes as well. Her metal work is often intricately decorated with tiny dots of solder. She says a turning point in her artistic life came the day she purchased a soldering iron and “went to work on a sardine can.” Chris has also taken up painting, and we are always happy to share her new work in any medium.
Chris is a passionate advocate for animals & an active participant in her local animal rescue organization. While caring for her own clan, she also takes in furry foster children who are awaiting permanent homes. She became a local sensation with a portrait she painted of a rescued dog named Ellie with her new adoptive mom, calling attention to the plight and potential of unwanted animals. See more about Chris, Ellie, and the portrait (not for sale) below.
Midland, MI
These pieces were created with
acrylic paint & paper collage
on cigar box lids,mounted on painted wood.
The edges are painted
& they are ready to hang.
LIFE CYCLES
8" x 11"
$90
INDUSTRIAL EVOLUTION
8" x 11"
$90
A.M. DIP
9" x 10"
$90
COWGIRL COFFEE
8" x 10"
SOLD
Have you had
your coffee yet?
FRIDA
6" x 9.5"
SOLD
G.W. CARVER
5.5" x 8"
*check availability*
TWO WOMEN
5" x 8"
SOLD
GO FIGURE
5" x 8"
SOLD
GODDESSES
6" x 8"
SOLD
FRIDA KAHLO
metal nicho
7.5"w x 15"h x 2.5"d
SOLD
JESUS OUT
OF THE BOX
standing shrine
5"w x 7"h x 2.5"d
SOLD
JUST JOE
(Joseph Cornell)
hanging wood block shrine
6.5"w x 9"h x 3.5"d
SOLD
MS. JULIA
standing cigar box shrine
6.5"w x 10.5"h x 3.5"d
*check availability*
EMPTY NEST
standing cigar box shrine
8"w x 13.5"h x 3.5"d
SOLD
In 2008 Chris and a friend rescued a dog from near & certain death from their local animal control. They called her Ellie. After a few weeks of love and attention from Chris, the terrified and shy Ellie was transformed into a confident and happy tail-wagger. The best part is that Ellie found the perfect home where she continues to be happy, healthy, and loved.
Chris painted a portrait of Ellie with her new mom that generated quite a buzz and called attention to the plight of unwanted animals in her hometown of Midland. The local paper ran a story featuring both artist and dog. You can read the article here:Chris & many others work tirelessly to improve conditions for animals in and out of shelters. You can check out her favorite local organization, SOS Animal Rescue, on their website www.sosanimalrescue.org. Better yet, take a look at your own local shelters and see how you can help out!
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