My process begins with curiosity—an effort to explore and push the boundaries of what I can create. I'm self-taught, so I've never been confined by traditional technique. I work intuitively, letting instinct guide my hand rather than a predetermined plan. Without formal training telling me what a painting "should" be, I approach each canvas as an open question and a potential conversation so what happens is really a dialogue between me and the piece—shaped as much by accident and improvisation.

I work in layers—paint, chalk, pencil, collaged pieces—building up and breaking down the surface as the work evolves. Challenge often leads to unexpected discovery: a smudge becomes a shadow, a torn edge becomes a line, a mistake becomes the piece's defining gesture. I don't smooth these moments over. I let them stay.

Fragments of that process remain visible in the finished work. Each piece carries the record of its own making: the hesitations, the revisions, the risks. Looking at the work becomes an act of retracing. You're not just seeing a finished image; you're seeing the trail of instinct and discovery that got me there.

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Biography

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Terin Christensen is a self-taught painter whose work explores emotion through texture and color. Raised in California's Bay area, she grew up surrounded by creativity—her grandfather and mother both dabbled in painting. Visits to San Francisco museums left a lasting impression, with the works of Monet and Wyeth shaping her early sensibilities.

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In 2019, Terin discovered her voice as a visual artist focusing on abstract impressionist style using primarily acrylic paint. Her work continues to evolve as she pushes the boundaries of the medium, using expressive mark-making and layered surfaces—paint, chalk, pencil, collage—to evoke deeply felt emotional experiences.

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Terin has been a member of Gallery 621 in Benicia for over a year and exhibits in local galleries throughout the region. Her work has been juried into shows notably including multiple exhibits with the San Francisco Women Artists (SFWA) and the Danville Village Arts Botanical exhibit. She has also participated in the Tri-Valley Art Open Studio and is a member of the Danville Art Network (DAN).​​