Artist research-Chris Loud Art

Following my research into Jacqueline Dobrugi’s SIRENE, I began thinking more about abstraction that is rooted in a starting point or theme. This led me to explore other artists who work in a similar way, which is how I discovered Chris Loud.

Chris Loud is a contemporary acrylic and mixed media artist based in Colorado Springs. His work sits between abstraction and suggestion. He often creates pieces that feel organic and layered, using strong shapes, texture, line, and bold areas of colour. What I am drawn to most in his work is the balance between control and freedom. There is structure in his compositions, yet there is also looseness and instinct.

One aspect that stands out to me is his Cracks in the Pavement approach. He begins with something real and often overlooked, fractured lines in concrete, and uses them as the framework for his composition. The cracks are not just marks; they divide space, create tension, and guide the movement of the painting. This way of starting with something observed and translating it into abstraction really resonates with me.

His use of texture is also important. He builds surfaces through layering acrylic, charcoal and mixed media. Some areas remain transparent while others are opaque and bold. The marks overlap and interact, creating depth and movement. Watching his YouTube videos helped me understand how layering can create history within a surface, and how strong linear marks can hold a composition together without restricting it.

What I value most about his practice is his openness in sharing process. Seeing how he responds to the surface rather than forcing an outcome made abstraction feel more accessible. His work reinforced the idea that abstraction can begin with something tangible and evolve through layering, structure and intuitive mark making.