By Martie Thompson
editor@floridanewsline.com
Local artist Christine Knize was born in New York City and said she was always painting. “I sold my first piece at age 10,” she said. She earned her bachelor’s in fine arts at Tyler School of Art at Temple University, where she had the opportunity to spend two years in Rome, immersed in Italian culture. “I was so lucky to have parents who understood the importance of education,” she said. She went on to earn her master’s degree at Rhode Island School of Design. In 1986 she moved to Miami for a new job in the fledgling photo retouching industry and then started her own faux finishing business, working in South Beach. In 1992, after Hurricane Andrew, she met her future husband, Joey, who was in the construction business and came down from Alabama to help with reconstruction of the area. Together, they forged a successful construction/design/real estate business until Joey’s untimely passing four years ago. “He was my wonderful partner of 28 years,” Christine said. Now she lives in Mandarin on property they bought to retire in and be closer to Joey’s children.
Q: What do you like best about living in Mandarin?
A: We fell in love with this property on the river. It’s two acres and had an existing home, which we lived in while we built our new home. It has a five car garage that I use as my studio. I really like the view and the fact that within minutes, I can be near all the conveniences, like the grocery store and the gym.
Q: When did you begin painting?
A: I was too busy running my businesses to do my own work until Joey died in early 2020. It was the beginning of COVID and I was alone. The only solace I had was to go into my studio, turn on terrific music and paint. I set a goal of 30 orchid paintings and now have done 40. So I set a new goal of 100.
Q: Why do you paint orchids?
A: I’m infatuated with this plant. It is sensual, feminine and to me they’re the queen of the flowers. I went to orchid shows in Miami and took photos of them — and then thought, I should paint them.
Q: What size paintings are your specialty and how long does it take to paint one?
A: I paint extra large canvases … usually five feet by six feet, although the one I just finished is six feet by six feet. I’d like to paint bigger ones, but transportation becomes an issue. It takes about two months to paint each one, because I paint in oils and it requires a lot of drying time. I usually have four paintings going at one time.
Q: What’s next for your art?
A: I had a showing in January at the Tamiami Orchid Show where people come from all over the world to buy and sell orchids. I didn’t sell any, but got a lot of good responses. Locally, I’m now showing at The Lark in downtown Jacksonville for three months, through April. My paintings are also part of the Art Walk on the first Wednesday of the month in March and April. Nine of my paintings are on display. I’m looking for other local opportunities as I think this is the next stage in my new chapter.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: I love to travel and usually by myself. I’ve been to Africa five times and I love it. I enjoy good food and I go to the gym daily. I also take care of my two-acre property by myself — so that keeps me busy!
Photo courtesy Christine Knize
Christine Knize and one of her extra large orchid paintings.
