Vertical Gallery presents 'Something Lost; Something Gained,' Chicago-area painter Christy Grossmann’s first solo gallery exhibition in our front gallery show room.

‘Something Lost; Something Gained,’ which runs Feb. 7- Mar. 1, captures and celebrates the feminine mystique in all its myriad forms. The exhibition draws insight and inspiration from milestones in Grossmann’s personal and professional life: in the months leading up to ‘Something Lost; Something Gained,’ she hit pause on a 13-year career teaching art to elementary school students, and gave birth to her first child.

“I was an artist and teacher. Now I am a mom. I did not fully understand what that transition would mean professionally, emotionally and spiritually,” Grossmann says. “The work presented in this collection explores themes of internal growth, change, possibility and expanding beyond self-imposed boundaries.”

‘Something Lost; Something Gained’ spotlights Grossmann’s signature magical-realist portraits of enigmatic young women rendered in vivid acrylic hues. “I love to paint femininity — the flowing hair and the bright colors,” she says. “I have always been drawn to feminine energy, especially now. There are so many cool things about women and what we do.”

Grossmann was born and raised in the Chicago suburb of Brookfield. While studying art education at Illinois State University, she focused on studio painting, and after earning her master’s degree in educational technology from Concordia University, she taught art to K-5 students in Lombard, Ill. Grossmann made her Vertical Gallery debut via the 2021 group show ‘Atomic Number 13,’ and returned the following year for the sequel; she’s also exhibited in group shows presented by Chicago Truborn Gallery, Seventh Corner Gallery and other local venues.



Image: Christy Grossmann 'Clarity'