Art has been a constant in my life for as long as I can remember. Practically growing up with a pencil in hand, I was always drawing, painting, or dreaming up characters and worlds — and somewhere along the way, that passion turned into a career.

I studied Studio Art at Oklahoma State University, where I earned my BFA with a focus in oil painting and a secondary concentration in watercolor. Those years in the studio gave me a deep foundation in color theory and composition, with the ability to give and take criticisms in weekly group critiques. These experiences and skills still inform all of my creative work.

Over the past decade, I've built my practice as an illustrator and graphic designer through my own studio, Chris Hinton Arts, working with clients across a range of industries. One of my favorite projects to date was a series of original illustrations for Pinehurst Golf Resort — greeting cards, coloring books, and an annual Christmas ornament developed from concept through final print-ready artwork. Projects like that, where I get to carry an idea all the way from a rough sketch to something tangible someone holds in their hands, are exactly why I do this work.

My illustration work lives primarily in Adobe Illustrator, where I specialize in vector illustration, seamless pattern design, and character-driven artwork for publishing, product design, and surface applications. But I still paint. My traditional work in oil and watercolor keeps me grounded and honest as an artist, and I think it shows up in the warmth and intentionality I try to bring to every digital piece.

When I'm not in the studio, you'll find me with my sketchbook, usually chilling with the family.