Chris Green-Martinez

Chris Green-Martinez began her creative journey in Manchester, England. Her artistic talent was evident from an early age—so much so that her kindergarten teacher would send her down the hall to show off her paintings to first graders. Encouraged by this early recognition, she later attended the Manchester High School of Art for high school, laying a strong foundation for a life devoted to visual expression.

After serving in the British Army, Chris relocated to the United States and earned a BA in Art Education from the University of Texas at Austin. Now based in Austin, she works in a variety of media including watercolor, acrylic, and oil. She is also an accomplished seamstress who gives the same attention to texture, structure, and form in her fiber work as she does her paintings.

Her practice includes plein air painting—working outdoors, directly from nature—as well as a more recent focus on a distinctive blend of geometric abstraction and realistic imagery. This evolving style reflects a dynamic balance of structure and spontaneity, inspired in part by visionary architect and philosopher Buckminster Fuller and renowned New Mexican artist, Georgia O’Keefe.

In 2001, she moved to Taos, New Mexico, for what she calls a “great adventure.” Chris immersed herself into a new artistic community consisting of native Pueblos and locals from diverse origins. Chris encountered influential regional artists that included R.C. Gorman, Nicholai Fechin, Margaret Henn, Christine Schwathe, Claudie Samson-Francois (Mesdames Carton), Jason Mondragón, Pablo Flores, Michael Salazar, Bernadette Track, Jean Whettnall and more.

Chris and her husband Vic operated a gallery and boutique, Taos Homegrown, on the historic Taos Plaza and showcased all these artists at one-time or another.

After 9 years, the couple moved back to Austin after the economy soured. In 2018, an opportunity arrived through Imagine Art where Chris exhibited during the Austin Eastside Studio Tour. This collaboration turned into a long-term relationship that led to an AmeriCorps artist-in-residency, where she shared her skills and passion with a community of disabled artists.

Today, Chris Green-Martinez continues to push creative boundaries while staying grounded in her deep love of the natural world and the transformative power of art.