Carrie Jossy-Christian

Paint communicates without words the speech of my soul.

A painting expresses yearning,
  yet maps boundaries.

It  is an infinite and baffling mystery.

Nothing has so much power to transform our sanctuaries,
  to humanize, harmonize, soothe, and restore.

Through all time, paint intercedes where words fail.

To explain the origin of some themes in my paintings, I would like to give a little background:

In my earliest years, my family lived on a hobby farm, which included many kinds of animals including a hundred head of sheep. In my five-year old mind, this was exquisite.

When I was seven, we moved to Northern Wisconsin near the upper peninsula of Michigan. Here again was another terrific outdoor existence, with acres of huge pine trees on the mouth of a chain of 28 lakes.

My family and neighbors would watch water ski shows that took place on the lake in front of our house. We swam and boated, spotted wildlife, climbed trees... there was lots of freedom for kids in those days. Maybe there still is in that region.

After high school I attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota for three years, and in another three years graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. The Art Department at the University of Minnesota has a very good program called the Split Rock Arts Program, led by David Feinberg, which I was able to attend twice.

Next I served as a volunteer in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada and USA for eleven years when I was married to a minister. We were at ten different churches in those years. It was during this time that I was able to see a little of the world during short trips Finland, Estonia, and many parts of Canada. We lived for fifteen years in Canada; I became a citizen and my son Daniel was born in Toronto. Daniel was enrolled in French immersion through the eighth grade.

In 2004 my son and I returned to the U.S. to Portland, Oregon. He has since graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School. He will be studying product design in college. Daniel's interests are in electronic music, and bicycling. In 2007, we applied and qualified for a Habitat for Humanity home. After we completed our 'sweat equity', with help from family and friends, we became homeowners.

I belong to the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, and work as a commercial painter. Some subjects of paintings originated from the high vantage points of job sites in downtown Portland. Before that my jobs have been as a nurses assistant, graphic artist and bindery clerk, and an art supplies inventory and sales person.

But the most wonderful news is about my new husband, Leland Jossy Jr., who I met on the 4th of July. He enjoys spending time with his children, Summer, Leland, and Zach. He loves to swim, bike, and run. He competes in triathlons and bike races and snowboards in the winter. He makes pottery that he will also be displaying at our March exhibit at Taborspace.

EXHIBITIONS

1987 Split Rock Arts Program, Class Show

1987 Senior Show, University of Minnesota, Mpls.

1992 Pink House Art Gallery, Grande Prairie, AB Canada

1994 Second Street Theatre, Grande Prairie, AB

1995 Beauty of the Peace Art Competition, Best of Show, Grande Prairie, AB

1996 Prairie Art Gallery, Group Show, Grande Prairie, AB

1996 Prairie Art Gallery Mailbox Auction, Grande Prairie, AB

1997 Unique Gallery, Group Show, Grande Prairie, AB

2002 Briccos Coffee Shop, Grande Prairie, AB

EDUCATION

2007 IUPAT Apprenticeship Training Program, Portland, Oregon

2006 Nursing Assistant Certification, Portland Community College, Portland, Oregon

1986-1988 Bachelor of Fine Arts, summa cum laude, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

1988,1990 Split Rock Arts Program, Duluth, Minnesota

1982-1985 Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota

1986 Nurse’s Aide Certification, Minneapolis, Minnesota

1978-1982 Northland Pines High School, Eagle River, Wisconsin

EMPLOYMENT

2007 to date COMMERCIAL PAINTER, Portland, OR
   
2006 -2007 CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT, ICF Unit, Portland, OR

1989-1991, 1994, 2004-2006 ART SUPPLIES SALESCLERK, Toronto, Grande Prairie, and Portland

2002-2004 PRINT SHOP BINDER, DESIGNER, Grande Prairie, AB

1998-2002 HOUSEPAINTER, CARPENTER’S HELPER, Clairmont, AB

1998-2002 PRIVATE A.L.S. CAREGIVER, Grande Prairie, AB

1994-date ARTIST, Grande Prairie, LaGlace, Clairmont, and Portland
 
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

1982-1996 EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, Canada and USA
 
2005-date HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, Portland Oregon