Kristof Frazier is a versatile and passionate artist that has overcome numerous personal struggles. He was born on December 23rd 1964 in Baltimore Maryland as Gail Marie Shiflet, and at the age of three months was adopted by a family that on its surface seemed typical and happy. Yet, beneath the shiny exterior this family was anything but typical or happy. They named the baby girl Kristina Lou Frazier. For most of his life he was not even aware he had mental illnesses, or that he was transgendered. He was told he I was lazy, weird, and wrong. He struggled with being required to live as a girl, but feeling like one of the boys. It took hospitalization in his early thirties, and intensive continued therapy to get him on the road to self-discovery and recovery. He is now transitioning from Kristina to Kristof with the love and support of his friends and most of his family, especially his mother.

For many years he worried that medication and therapy would "steal" the creative part of his personality. It didn't, and if fact has allowed that part of him to grow and flourish as a conduit for his talent and passion. Art has always been an intrinsic part of Kristof's life.

He began at the age of twelve to explore oils as a medium; and although he has had some formal schooling, including studies at the Art Institute of Atlanta in commercial art, all of his painting skills have been self-taught. His early and continued influences include the Pre-Raphaelite artists, Gauguin, Monet, de Kooning,& Kandinsky; but his biggest influences are Vincent Van Gogh and Jackson Pollock. Their groundbreaking work and personal battles with mental illness and struggle to be heard is a continuing inspiration for him.

"They( the artists who inspired) burned bright and went out too soon. I must always tend the flame of passion in myself. After all, it is what keeps me alive." Kristof Frazier 2006

ArtWanted.com Gallery:   Fine Art
Represented By: Event Horizon Studios
Proficient Software:   Jasc Paintshop Pro 8,Corel PainterX
Past Clients:   Victor Harnack( private collector), Georgia Pacific, Belk Corp., Mims Academy ,Belvue Gallery,etc