TERESA BRISTOL
PRESS
A lifelong fascination with art history eventually led me to discover my greatest passion. While I was studying art history at Southern Methodist University, I started taking art studio electives and became hooked on the painting and drawing process. Making art sparked my curiosity and held my attention, allowing me to hyper focus on a level that I had never been able to before. I was no longer content to merely observe art, I needed to create it. As my skill developed, I began to see themes emerge in my work.
My paintings convey the beauty of life, and also its loneliness. They capture the feeling I have when I’m completely immersed in nature better than my words ever could. Though everyday life pulls my brain in a million different directions, when I’m painting, I am completely present in the moment. Painting has been a constant source of joy for me. It is stable when my life is not, and is something I can lose myself in. When I paint, my greatest worries are about color, the process, proportion and the way the light hits a branch or the petal on a flower. I love how it feels to lay a line down on a canvas or recreate a certain shade or color.
Creativity plays an important role in my life. It strengthens my relationships with my family helping us all to see beyond the surface with people and nature. My family has supported me throughout my development as an artist. My husband and I have raised two daughters, Chloe and Audrey. Chloe, who is an artist, works as a background painter for Netflix and has done illustrations for several books. I believe my experiences enabled me to encourage her to a pursue a career in art instead of going the more traditional route. Much of our relationship is connected to art and creativity. Audrey just completed her Masters in Social Work. She is very open and empathetic and has always encouraged me with art by going to museums with me or spending time with me in nature. I am truly happiest when I’m painting.