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Chris LaValley is a multidisciplinary artist based in Kansas City, working primarily in painting, collage, and ceramics. Her practice is rooted in exploration, constantly evolving as she experiments with new materials and methods.
Chris has exhibited her work in numerous shows both in Kansas City and throughout the United States. She holds a BFA in Painting and Drawing from the Kansas City Art Institute (1989) and an MA in Art Education, with a minor in Ceramics, from the University of New Mexico.
In addition to her studio work, Chris has been a dedicated high school art educator for over 28 years, teaching painting and ceramics and inspiring the next generation of artists.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work is deeply rooted in the forces of nature, sacred geometry, and the rich symbolism of color and form. Inspired by the visionary work of Hilma af Klint and the Transcendentalist painters, I view art as a form of meditation—a spiritual practice where intuition guides each mark, and the unfolding composition reveals its own path. For me, the act of creating is a journey, one that seeks equilibrium through the delicate interplay of mark-making, color, and layering.
The focus of my current work lies in exploring the energy that permeates life, with an emphasis on sacred geometry and symbolism. I strive to transform space through rhythmic relationships, allowing color and form to communicate deeper meanings. Blue, for example, represents wisdom, while turquoise speaks to the journey or path, and spheres embody the energy of life itself. These elements often appear to me during moments of meditation or in dreams, their messages coming to life through layers of transparent color and texture that evoke depth and movement.
Through my art, I hope to invite viewers into a realm beyond the planar surface, where dynamic symmetry and inner awareness merge. The colors and forms I use are more than aesthetic choices—they are symbols of life's energy and interconnectedness. I aim to create works that evoke contemplation, meditation, or even spiritual transformation, leaving space for the viewer’s personal interpretation.
Ultimately, my work is a continuation of a journey, nurtured by nature and the luminosity of energy sources. It is a dialogue between light, color, shapes, and space—one that seeks to actively connect and communicate with those who engage with it.