Arts of Life advances the creative arts community by providing artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities a collective space to expand their practice and strengthen their leadership.
Born in 1967, Chris Austin studied mechanics at Ferris State University; a background that is evident in his meticulous art making process. Thoughtfully composed works emerge from methodical planning that manifests through research, sketching, and assembling source materials. Austin alternates between painting on canvas and hand-cut cardboard imbuing his work with a fresh viewpoint. Austin’s mechanical interest is further evidenced in 2-dimensional works in which he uses subject matter to break the linear border of the substrate. His painting practice is grounded in realism with a nod to folk art. Chris layers elements within his paintings - intentionally overlooking volume and shadow and instead focusing on “the composition [and] the colors”. His minimalist approach encourages narratives to emerge that are left open for personal interpretation and musing. Recent exhibitions include Into Action at Resolution Studios in Chicago and With a Little Help From My Friends guest curated by Megan Foy and Julian Van Der Moere. “Art is expressing yourself. I know how to make good art.”
Born in 1995, Raina "Tokyo" Carter develops narrative themes in her works that revolve around female-centric pop music and Japanese culture. The influence of anime is evidenced in the interplay of geometry, fantasy and character-driven artwork. Carter invests a high degree of planning into her paintings as she explores concepts through sketching and research. She works with drive and focus, but this intensity is offset with vibrant colors bursting from the light-hearted paintings she creates. Raina has shown work at NADA Miami and internationally at Art Fair Tokyo and Art Collaboration Kyoto with Sho + 1 gallery.
“My dream is to go to Tokyo, Japan. I want to be a Tokyo artist someday. Like Final Fantasy artists Yoshitaka Amano and Arina Tanemura. I’m in love with Japan. I have to draw pictures of Tokyo and Shibuya, and Sanrio Puroland. Mariah Carey Tokyo Dome. She arrived in Japan to see her Japanese fans. She went to Tokyo. She wears a beautiful black dress. I want to paint Mariah Carey Daydream 25 anniversary concert tour in Tokyo Dome. I painted TWICE Mina. She was a Japanese American. She was born March 24, 1997. I love the Japanese Culture Center.”