Today we meet Chris Steiner, also known as ‘Dooda’, who incredibly uses palette knives to create unique artwork in Houston. His journey has been as layered as his artistic pieces.
As a child, Chris described himself as that “poor, scummy, skater kid that everyone liked, but didn’t really fit in any friend groups.” He passed much of his time in his own solitude with a sketchbook or skateboard in hand. Chris recalls one summer with his Grandma in Kentucky being particularly memorable to his Journey. Hanging around the frame gallery where she worked, he met Ike, an artist who, while in prison, created a massive canvas filled with intricate colored lines all from melted crayons. He still recounts how cool this was to witness.
Interestingly enough, in December 2021, an urge to paint led Chris to put down his sketchbook and pickup palette knives. It was a perfect fit that he couldn’t ignore. “... and that was that,” he recounts. The tool, ordinarily used for mixing paints, became an extension of his imagination and his go-to brush of sorts. He compares using palette knives with the satisfying feeling of spreading mayonnaise on a sandwich. The interaction between the palette knife and canvas creates a unique blend of colors and textures.
One of Chris's significant works is a heartfelt tribute to his mother's husband, who was going through a challenging battle with cancer at the time. This was an opportunity for him to create something meaningful for his family, pouring his talent into a portrait that went beyond physical likeness and offered some comfort to those he cared about. Put in his words: "Knowing that my art had that kind of impact on others is the best feeling in the world." Following his mother's husband's passing, the painting took on an even deeper significance. It was reproduced onto prints, shirts, and mugs, serving as a touching memento for the family.
This piece left a profound impact on him, demonstrating the power of art to connect, comfort, and heal during tough times. Drawing from such experiences, Chris aims to bring color and solace into people's lives through his art. His personal mantra reflects this: “Do the thing. Do it today. Don’t regret not doing it later on because there’s never a 'good' time to do anything. Just do it.”
Stay tuned for more updates about Chris and other artists with remarkable stories. We promise you won’t want to miss out.