Local artist of the week Tina Christophillis

Visual artist Tina Christophillis says what the world needs is, "Artists, creators, innovators, people who are comfortable with asking questions, real questions, real hard questions.

"People who are brave enough to sit with these questions once they've taken the risk to ask them, for as long as it takes to find concrete results, resolutions and progress. People brave enough to go deep inside and challenge themselves to find truth. People brave enough to sit through the pain, darkness and fear to discover something real and worth living for. People brave enough to work for what matters, to seek what matters, to love what matters, unconditionally. People who feel deeply, love deeply and give the world their best.

"The world needs brave souls. The world needs winners. The world needs people with open hearts."

A former New York City dancer-turned-oil painter, Christophillis teaches figure drawing at Redux and has her permanent studio there. Christophillis is a dreamer and a constantly evolving artist who explores ways she can express her creative energy. She painted a mural for the ChART Walk, which was held Sunday in the Avondale area of West Ashley. She also is collaborating with local fashion designer Rachel Gordon for an exhibit called "Fly" that will have its opening reception Dec. 9 at ONE, 478 King St.

First thing I do in the morning: Sometimes I meditate. Sometimes I walk in the park. Mostly I make coffee.

I love to: Dance. Sing. Play. Turn cartwheels. Make a giant mess with art supplies of all kinds.

I'm daydreaming about: Traveling the world, changing lives, making art that moves people to become a better version of themselves.

My inspiration comes from: My life. The people I know, the streets I walk, the places I've traveled, the music I listen to, my emotions, my memories, my big wild heart.

Television is: Asleep. It has potential that we should use fully. I want to see TV programs that challenge the mind, ask questions as to how we can make our lives better, richer and more alive, make people get up and take action on things that really matter. How about TV with real humanity, real art and real good humor? That would be a bright big thing to see. That will be of use to this world. That will wake people up to their real potential. We are capable.

My family says I am: Intelligent. Intuitive. Artistic. Beautiful. Free. Independent.

If I knew then what I know now: I would have loved myself more, taken more risks, loved without the walls up, spoken up when I knew what was true, said everything on my mind.

Price range of artwork: $40 to $6,000.