Christine Breakell-Lee is a mixed-media artist based in Vancouver, BC, and the founder and creative director of Unified, a fashion-forward line of everyday soft accessories. Her abstract paintings are characterized by an exuberant mix of colour that’s applied with uninhibited, dreamlike brush strokes. Her paintings are full of movement and emotion, drawing you in so you could stare at them for hours. Christine grew up in Vancouver and remembers always having a sketchbook and pencil in hand. She would spend hours doodling and drawing, so it’s no surprise that art became her path. Originally painting from a small, naturally-lit nook in her home, she settled in Parker Street Studios 12 years ago, a well-known hub in the city’s east side arts district.
As someone who loves all things design-related — be it a gorgeous meal, a beautifully designed interior space, or a thoughtful detail on a pair of shoes — it’s no surprise that Christine was able to bring her passion for colour into building Unified, her brand of accessories that bear her signature bright hues mixed with thoughtful details. When creating and choosing hues for a new product line, she’s like a kid in a candy store, poring over yarn swatches, samples and clippings. Even her showroom is reminiscent of a confectionery shop, with colourful hats, socks and scarves lining the shelves. Intersecting art with her brand, she chose to have a friend and fellow artist, Kari Kristensen, create a bespoke wall mural in Unified brand colours to adorn the space.
Christine is that rare mix of person who can live in both an artist’s world and a business world — blending and balancing the two, just like she creates a painting. Through both her art and her brand, Christine invites others to experience the wonder, self-expression and colour that have always defined her world.
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Which ’hood are you in?
I live in Cambie Village, which I love for its relaxed vibe and its walkability to local cafés, shops, restaurants and parks. My studio is in East Vancouver, at the centre of the arts district. It’s a place of introspection, a creative workplace and a community for me.
What do you do?
I create everyday soft accessories that are playful and refined. I love how we can all express individuality through personal style – accessories are an easy and fun way to do that. Our pieces are designed intentionally so they can be mixed, matched, and put together with ease.
What are you currently working on?
I am working on some luxurious feeling cashmere colourblock kerchiefs for fall that have bold and graphic colour combinations as well as some sparkly knee-high socks with a sporty stripe. I am also working on a new series of abstract paintings on paper for release at the annual Eastside Culture Crawl this November.
Where can we find your work?
My artwork can be found locally at my studio at 1000 Parker Street, at Art Rental and Sales operated by the Vancouver Art Gallery and at Gibson Fine Art in Calgary. Unified accessories can be found at many shops across Canada and the US. On the West Coast, you can pick them up at Mercurial on Main Street, One of a Few in Gastown, Front and Company on Main Street and Loot in Nelson, to name a few.
