by Len Lear

One of the more successful artists in our area is Chris Cox, a resident of Lafayette Hill for the past 21 years. She has developed a fascinating style of building upon layers of paint “because I like the rich history it gives to my paintings, and it adds to the texture, which is important to me.”

Cox’s work has been purchased by collectors in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Michigan and Alaska. Many collectors own multiple paintings. In fact, last fall one collector bought four of her pieces from Bluestone Fine Art Gallery in Old City, which are now hanging in their home at The Residences at the Ritz Carlton in Center City. And last year, three of her paintings were selected to be in one of the sets for the film, “Creed II.” Her paintings will also be featured in the Bluestone booth at the Philadelphia Fine Art Fair, which will be held April 4 -7 at the 23rd Street Armory, 22 S. 23rd St. in Center City.

Pam Regan, Bluestone Fine Art Gallery owner, said last week, “We are proud to be exhibiting Chris Cox with works from her two most recent series. Scotland’s Outer Hebrides Islands inspired one series, and paintings in her other series were informed by the aging stone in eroding walls and other structures. She sees abstract landscapes and atmospheres in the old stone. She creates unique abstract paintings by building upon layers of paint until the painting develops a rich history and texture that has to be experienced in person.”

Cox started out doing representational work, “but I really found my unique painting voice when I started to go in a more abstract direction ... I discovered my attraction to aging stone structures while in Paris several years ago. I saw the carbon build up eroding the foundation of an old stone building. It looked beautiful to me. Several colors of blue, a rust and black on top of a grayish putty-looking stone.

“As I looked closer I could see something emerging. It was an abstract atmosphere. Later on during that same trip, I was out in the French countryside, and I was totally intrigued with what I saw on a crumbling old stone bridge. “It was pocked with a green/yellow/white lichen. Upon closer observation, I could see an abstract landscape. Later on, while in Pompeii, I was amazed not only by the fading frescos on the walls but by the images that volcanic residue had left on those eroding walls. To me, it looked like a turbulent seascape ... But to be clear, I am not painting the old stone or decaying walls. I am inspired to paint what I see in them.”

Cox, who requested that her age not be mentioned, is aided in her creativity by her little Sheltie, Lucy. “She will be 11 this year and still enjoys spending time in the studio. I think she likes to think of herself as our muse.”

Cox generally devotes at least five to six hours a day to her art. “I would like to do more, but sometimes life gets in the way.”

What was the hardest thing Cox ever had to do? “In art, it was two commissioned pieces for separate people. It is very constraining to do a commissioned painting. In life, probably one of the hardest things I ever had to do was to be with our beloved dog of 16 years, Smarty, as she passed away after suffering from cancer and seizures.”

What is the best advice Cox ever received? “Philadelphia artist and teacher Val Rossman once said in a class I took that a painting should ask more questions than it answers. I think she meant it is the mystery that draws us in and makes us want to keep looking.”

If she could live anywhere on earth, where would it be?

“Believe it or not, I really like this area. It has so much to offer culturally and is a great place for art ... But if I could have a second place to live, it would be in Paris. I love Paris and try to go there as often as I can. There is always something more to see or do in Paris – many art museums and galleries to explore ... Paris has a certain vibe that no other place in the world has.”

If Cox could meet and spend time with anyone on earth, living and/or dead, who would it be? “I would enjoy spending time with Gertrude Stein and hearing, first hand, about those who attended her Saturday night salons in Paris – Matisse, Picasso, Hemingway, Braque, Fitzgerald – to name a few. Also, I would welcome her critique of my work.”

Cox's wife, Nancy Neill, also a fine artist, will have an exhibition this month at Cerulean Arts Gallery, 1355 Ridge Ave. in North Philly.

For more information about Cox's work, visit chriscoxart.com. Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com