Today we’d like to introduce you to Christi Marie Litton
Hi Christi Marie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Art has always been the focus and heart of my life. When I was little I watched my older brother become an artist, and as a younger sister it was my duty to follow in his footsteps. At 6 years old I began my journey to where I am today. Art quickly became the focus of my life.
I often wonder where I would be without my family. My parents put me in art lessons and really pushed me to learn and cultivate my skills. They supported me at every turn and gave my life purpose.
Art has been my outlet for all of the pain and joy we experience in this life, but so much more than that- art is a language that everyone can understand. Art is rage, passion, love, sadness, sacrifice, activism, beauty, a raw example of what it means to be human.
I’ve explored and regularly use multiple mediums in my pieces. Tattoo art became a part of my life when I was 17. I had alway had an eye for it, and it started as a way to both supplement my income and pursue my passions daily but it quickly became so much more than that. Deeper than the skin. For clients it is often an experience of healing, people come to us to create art on their bodies but really we’re uncovering the expression these people have had trapped inside. It is truly a unique medium. Going into tattooing I didn’t have the understanding of what it really means to tattoo, but working closely with clients and seeing first hand how emotional of a process it is changed my whole view. Tattoo art is so important. It is looked at as taboo, weird, but we know it is a fine art, something we dedicate our lives to. The human body is a constantly changing canvas, no two bodies are the same. In addition to designing for the soul, a huge part of tattoo art is designing for the human body- not just ON the human body, but FOR the human body and the best of us are artists who have studied human anatomy in detail. It is extreme in terms of the difficulty and time required. You can’t stop. It is a practice that you can’t quite understand unless you’re also a tattoo artist. The exclusivity of this general understanding creates a true community, one of strength.
I could not be more grateful to be a part of this world, to be an artist is a true privilege and I will not allow myself to be anything else.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Every profession has its challenges and set of obstacles to overcome, as an artist your largest battle will always be one with yourself. It is always difficult to see your self worth as an artist, it is no simple task to measure such a subjective practice and so I think we measure most often based on volume or that initial impact a piece has. Another main challenge as an artist is to make sure you’re always learning. Not just art- but the tools we use are constantly evolving and although there is a deep appreciation for artisan methods and connection with our roots, we need to study to keep up with the times and new technologies.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Outside of tattoo art I am predominately a painter. I just love it and get lost in pieces. Hours can pass with little thought. I believe all artists are the same in that we are each unique and bring something different to the table. We each have unique lives and collections of experiences that reflect in our works. On a personal note I certainly have specific things that inspire me. I love putting symbolism in my work, each has a hidden message or a very loud message. I love my pieces to be diverse in sensory reactions. My favorite technique is using light. We sense firstly with our eyes, it’s our first impression of the things around us. I will manipulate this sense by using different materials that reflect different amounts of light to then create contrast. I can highlight certain details in my pieces by using highly reflective substances. Another technique I love using is layering in different opacities to create different effects. I will use transparent papers, fabrics, thinned paint, even metal sheets with designs cut out of them to create different opacities. There are no boundaries with art, and I love exploring this. You could see me using watercolor on wood, ink in skin, fabric on metal, really anything. In a place of complete freedom- why stick to the norm?
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Salt Lake City feels like a contradiction. Salt Lake City is such a magical place. It has always been my home and it is what has shaped me into who I am today. There is a huge, amazing community of artists here with amazing messages and outrageous talent. Not just the people but all of the nature around us stokes the fire. It is full of artists, passionate, fluid and vibrant personalities, and it is also a place of much oppression and judgment and I actually think we have these polars because they fuel each other. I will acknowledge all of the people in between so as not to overgeneralize- but it is no secret that both the wild and the conservative are constantly in the limelight. It can be frustrating to live amongst but also very enlightening. They each run from each other, and I think one very important message we are given through art is that freedom to is the same thing as freedom from. Art is given to us when we need it most, and when you come from a place of oppression and true emotional entrapment, art is a breath of fresh air. Allow yourself the opportunity to be yourself and break the chains you live with by any means necessary. THAT is what our community of artists in Salt Lake represent.
“Speak your truth, I want to hear you, and you’re safe with me,” that is what art wants you to know.
Look past the surface of Salt Lake City, it’s worth it!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/black.thistle.tattoo?igsh=NGtqYTNic2g1MTdk&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/black.thistle.arts?igsh=dDBiMmZ3NXYxcmR0
