Meet: Christopher Alles
CHRISTOPHER ALLES is a fine artist living in NYC. (www.christopheralles.com)
Catholic Artist Connection (CAC): What brought you to NYC, and where did you come from?
Christopher Alles (Christopher): I came out from my hometown in Portland, Oregon to New York for a restoration job in a church.
CAC: Do you call yourself a Catholic artist? What do you see as your personal mission as a Catholic working in the arts?
Christopher: I wouldn’t say that I am specifically a “Catholic” artist. I think such a use of language is misleading because the goal of artistic craft is to be a good artist, whether or not you are Catholic. That being said, I do have a strong sense of the role and mission of the artist for the Catholic Church: namely, to illustrate the unseen drama to which all of creation points.
CAC: Where have you found support in the Church for your vocation as an artist?
Christopher: I have found it from friends in the arts, whether or not Catholic, and the clergy. I think devoted clergy understand the importance of art, since it is as much a spiritual discipline as it is physical, and a lot of crossover exists between the artistic life and the religious life.
CAC: How can the Church be more welcoming to artists?
Christopher: If someone says they want to support the arts in the Church, I would respond to them by telling them not to form committees or even artistic funding projects. The first step is for people of influence to learn to love art. Maybe they don’t care much certain types of art, but care more for others. It doesn’t matter. You have to start by loving an artist’s work, not the idea of having arts in Church. If you begin this way, you will never produce anything fruitful. The greatest artistic developments in the Church happened because artists were supported by art lovers, not by art committees.
CAC: How can the artistic world be more welcoming to artists of faith?
Christopher: I’m not sure I can answer that question. I’m not sure I would want it to. Art made in the Catholic spirit should upset people, like Christ did. Ultimately, you may be ostracized from general society.
CAC: Where in NYC do you regularly find spiritual fulfillment? Which parish do you attend? What is your daily spiritual practice?
Christopher: I often attend mass at St. Michael’s in Midtown. I do love, however, going to the cathedral to sit and pray for an hour or so. I used to do that every day, but not anymore. Something I miss about having lots of free time. I usually go to mass in the mornings, then I work on my art, which I consider a spiritual practice. I try to find time in the afternoon or evening to sit in quiet, but lately this has been difficult.
CAC: Where in NYC do you regularly find artistic fulfillment?
Christopher: Going to the museums and seeing the artists I love. I want to rush back to the studio as soon as I get there. I also love to work with the model. If I had a model all day everyday I would be at peace.
CAC: What is your daily artistic practice? And what are your recommendations to other artists for practicing their craft daily?
Christopher: When I am not working on a commission, then I simply invent things for myself to do. Little pieces, interacting with the artists I love. I would recommend that people establish rules of your day. Create a ritual, a time a frame in which you work. A structure that doesn’t change. Much like the monk’s life.
CAC: Describe a recent day in which you were most completely living out your vocation as an artist. What happened, and what brought you the most joy?
Christopher: Recently I drew portraits of my fiancée. It was the first time in awhile that I had someone pose for me, and it was deeply rewarding and engaging. That is what I need the most and have the least: people willing to pose for me.
CAC: You actually live in NYC? How!?
Christopher: I have been able to scrape by various residencies and roommate situations, mostly through a network of friends.
CAC: Do you have a day job or do you make a full-time living from your art?
Christopher: I work full time as an artist, and much have my work has come from word of mouth and by making connections at various events. A lot of my work fell onto my lap from God. There was no strategy.
CAC: How much would you suggest artists moving to NYC budget for their first year?
Christopher: $30,000 at least.
CAC: What other practical resources would you recommend to a Catholic artist living in NYC?
Christopher: I’d recommend organizing your schedule in such a way that gives yourself time to explore different neighborhoods of New York, with no specific plan in mind. Going where the wind takes you so to speak. I love walking around the more livable neighborhoods like the Upper West Side, and trying out interesting coffee shops and bars as they present themselves.
CAC: What are your top 3 pieces of advice for Catholic artists moving to NYC?
Christopher: Number one: make time for prayer.
Number two: make time for yourself and your work.
Number three: schedule time during the week to go crazy and so late night whatever with friends.
