Biography
"The aesthetics of art, classical music and nature soften the world around us." Christie Grimstad
BACKGROUND
Self-taught, Christie Grimstad has been creating art and piano compositions since early childhood. An Emory University graduate, Christie has been a type 1 diabetic for over 43 years and is an accomplished endurance athlete and motivational speaker. Some of the events he's completed are The California Triple Crown
© , The Eco-Challenge
© and the prestigious Hawaii Ironman Triathlon Championship ©. Christie continues work as an artist and classical music critic in Southern California.
ART
Current art emphasis is creating 3-dimensional buildings made of recycled materials and stippling compositions in pen & ink. Inspirational draws originate from living overseas, traveling off-the-beaten path, museums, the outdoors and the Romantic Age (19th century.)
MUSIC
Senior music critic for Paris-based ConcertoNet, Christie interprets classical music on paper through venues of opera, symphonies and suites, with a heavy bend on honoring esoteric composers. Donations extend to philanthropic patrons, international opera stars, Los Angeles Human Rights Campaign chapter and service organizations in the greater Los Angeles area. Visit théâtres to see what he's reviewing in upcoming months.
NATURE
Gardening at an early age, and having spent a great portion of his life in Southern California, Christie is a strong advocate of using succulents wherever possible. These drought-tolerant plants flourish into an artistic cornucopia of texture, design and color. A glimpse of his arrangements can be found in Green Thumb. Christie and partner, Ken Fish, have also created The Balcony Boys, an enterprise that creates art and gardens for small spaces. Samples of their arrangements can be found in the Succulents Shed.
EVENTS
Christie's been a featured artist at the Laguna Beach Artwalk (2016), Balboa Island Artwalk (2011), the Sawdust Winter Fantasy (2010 & 2011), Haute Cakes Caffé (2010), RAW Artists (2010), the Huntington Beach Library (2010), as well as the commissioned artist for the Balboa Island Christmas Home Tours (2009-2011), and 2nd place winner of the juried 2012 Orange Art Association. Christie's home has also been showcased in Sun City Palm Desert 's Home and Garden Tour (2018) and the Art Studio Tour (2019).
