About Christopher B Mooney

The Story of Local Pacific Northwest Artist Christopher B Mooney

Christopher B Mooney | Local Portland Artist | Portland, Oregon

Born and raised in New York State, I was surrounded by an artistic family and a richly influential environment. Despite being born without hearing due to my mother's measles during pregnancy, my sight became my dominant sense, guiding me through the world and informing my work. From a young age, I was inspired by the works of Edward Hopper, Charles Sheeler, Charles Demuth, John Sloan, and Richard Diebenkorn, as well as our neighbor, the American artist Joseph Golinkin.

Pursuing my deep appreciation for art, I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Parsons School of Design in New York in 1983. In 1987, I moved to Portland, Oregon, which proved to be a turning point in my career. The exposure to the city’s landmarks and bridges became a central focus of my art, and I am now renowned for my depictions of urban landmarks, primarily bridges, industrial sites, and the working heroes who build and maintain these structures.

The rivers and bridges of Portland are a great source of inspiration for me. I am fascinated by the complex steel girders and geometric shapes that underpin the majesty of bridges, compelling us to stop and breathe in the ingenuity of these grand structures. Through my work, I aim to document buildings and structures that might otherwise go unnoticed or forgotten.

As a painter of contemporary realism, my technique mimics the old masters but embraces a contemporary sensibility and ambience through careful and expressive brushstrokes. I strive to deliver unusual points of view that render exciting realistic and abstract portrayals, particularly in my paintings of bridges and cityscapes. I am also well-regarded for my portraiture, images of working heroes, and figurative work stylistically depicted in modern realism.

I enjoy hiking and walking around cities, carrying my camera to capture photo references. By stepping off the sidewalks, I seek to discover new dimensions in my work, creating paintings that are both abstract and realistic, illustrating the strength and beauty of the world around us. My mission is to share this unique perspective with others, inviting them to see the extraordinary in the everyday and to appreciate the ingenuity and artistry that surrounds us.

My paintings have been exhibited nationally and have received recognition from Oil Painters of America, International Guild of Realism, and the American Artist Professional League.