Cristie Dunavan finds out of the ordinary inspiring

When Cristie Dunavan worked at Zip’s as a teenager, she used her down time to draw intricate designs on the to-go bags and then handed the decorated bags filled with food to drive-through customers.

“I’m hoping that the drawings were appreciated,” she said, “Maybe even framed and put on the wall.” Her designs now have evolved into full-fledged illustrations of her active imagination.

Dunavan’s work could be compared to a mix of characters from Tim Burton’s “A Nightmare Before Xmas,” Cabbage Patch dolls, classic pinups and horror films. Her depictions give voice to our deepest concerns, exaggerating what we often avoid like memories of a first love gone wrong, childhood fears including ghouls and zombies and Christmas morning disappointments.

The latter is relayed in her piece called “Box of Deception” where a little girl appears quite unhappy with the gift she just opened and, to some, might be a foreshadowing of a future of disappointments. Dunavan, 31, created “Box of Deception” from a memory. “I wanted a Cabbage Patch doll but instead, I got a knock-off.”

Other pieces include “Three Little Mafia Piggies” who have turned the tables on the wolf by stringing him up to a tree like a piñata; “Disturbing Sleep,” where youths on the road to sleep are accosted by a monster that introduces itself as “Hideous Nightmare 1”; and “Totally Smashed,” a poignant piece of a pumpkin headed man deep in mourning for his smashed comrade. “I did that one shortly after a friend’s death,” Dunavan said.

Dunavan describes her work as lowbrow which has been defined as “a widespread populist art movement with origins in the underground comix world, punk music, hot-rod street culture, and other subcultures.” She said that the term may have a negative connotation but that’s exactly what it is.

“Horror films provide a lot of my inspiration,” she said, uncertain if mainstream art connoisseurs will appreciate her work which is full of depth, truth, even hilarity in a morbid sort of way.

Dunavan is self-taught from years of expressing herself in sketches. For the last seven years, she has worked for a video production company and learned how to master computer applications. About four years ago, she began entering illustration contests online and found her niche.

She begins each piece with an initial sketch that she scans onto the computer. Then she uses a sketch tablet plugged into the computer to add freehand layers until the piece is complete.

Dunavan has shown her work at Prago, the Lion’s Lair and Brooklyn Nights, and has done many commissioned pieces including portraits. “They are definitely not your typical family portraits,” she said.

On Halloween night, Dunavan will be the featured artist at Ink to Media, 523 N. Pines Road, for the gallery’s Last Friday event. Dunavan, along with other artists will be adding flourescent paints to existing pieces or originals for a Black Light/Costume Extravaganza from 6 to 10 p.m. The free event will feature live music by Devin Manskey and Chuck Evans, a costume contest, candy, a custom jack-o’-lantern cake, and cookies for kids of all ages.