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ALL RGHTIS RESERVED  All images,  graphics, text,  presentation of art, and overall design of this website are copyrighted 2008
B. Chrisse Harwanko Galleries. 
Meet the Artist and Tour Leader
Art, travel and culture have influenced my life for many years. My early trips to Mexico opened my eyes to unique ancient civilizations. These early expeditions unlocked the doors to the idea of living in Panama, a gem of a country, a place where I lived for 25 years, and still call home. While residing there, I began scuba diving and traveled a great deal to learn about the unique societies of Panama. My enjoyment of the cultures of the indigenous peoples led me to become a guide and artist. Numerous dive adventures there in Latin America and here in Asia have provided me much visual stimuli for both my underwater photography and my paintings. I also have been inspired by the visual energy and abstract forms of Wassily Kandinsky. Sometimes, I incorporate these energetic, dreamlike textures in the backgrounds or borders of my work.
The technique that I have invented for much of my artwork is very unique. It is a fusion of wax resist, collage, inks and different painting methods. During the time I was studying for my degree in art, I was introduced to batik. Later in Panama, I used these traditional methods of wax and dyes on cloth. Now, I principally apply wax then paint sumie ink on gettoshi, a handmade paper only made here on Okinawa. I also use many different media and materials to create my work, to include watercolors and collage with handmade papers. For more details of my unique technique please see my gallery page where I explain my "Mixed Media Painting Process."

I hope that you will enjoy the galleries that I have set up here on my site. I have exhibited many of these works in various places around the globe and received numerous awards for my art and photography since 1972. My works can be found in collections all over the world.