Chris’ artistic and gifted talent has helped him to express his inner world to the outside world. He started drawing at the age of 10 and throughout he has focused on design, high degree of accuracy and remarkable completeness. Chris has amassed a large collection of work over the past 40 years. His beautiful collections have various themes like local places, mountains, castles and holiday cards and has won Best of Show at the 2008 Normandy Park Show. Chris’ mom, Julie Stiles has answered on his behalf.

At what age did you start painting? What is your favorite theme to paint?C:  Chris started drawing with ballpoint pens at about age 10. He went on a 7mile run with his family and when he got home drew an aerial view of the running course on a grocery bag. It was amazingly complete and accurate. He later discovered Sharpies and his pictures became more colorful, but he had a habit of destroying pictures he finished. We have saved about 3 pictures per year since he was 10 and we have 120 of them now. He prefers to draw inanimate objects- buildings, mountains, flowers, trees,water, etc.but also draws birds.

What is your favorite creation?C: His favorite picture is of a small island in a pool with a tree growing on it

What are your other hobbies?C:  Cut Ivy, stack wood, run 4miles with Strider and Sam (family dogs), go to Costco, go to Mexican food.

What is your favorite place to visit? What do you like about that place?C:  Chris likes to drive down to San Francisco (from Seattle) in his dad's truck to visit his brother, Michael. To share the memories with us he will shout out, "Coit Tower" and we have to say it back to him, Then,"BART train!" "Jack London Square!" "Golden Gate Bridge" "Mount Shasta" "Skunk Train" "Dinosaur Park" "Sea Lion Caves"....and many others. Often he will repeat ...with eye contact...and insist that we repeat again.

What do you like to do when you are with your friends/family?C:  Chris very much enjoys family holiday get-togethers, especially birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. He also enjoys his sister's kids, Julianna and Emmett.

Any special message for our community?C: For advice to others, he would say, "Do what you love!"