About the Artist

About Me

Hi, I'm Caitlin Stainken.

I'm a painter based in Missoula, Montana. I'm endlessly fascinated by the way light transforms ordinary moments and evokes sentimentality and reflection, as well as hope for the future. My work is inspired by the deep emotions of everyday life and the solitary moments that make me feel calm and introspective: afternoon sun stretching across a hardwood floor, plants reaching toward the light, well loved pets, and the landscapes that make me pause along my favorite walks.

I earned my B.A. in English and Painting from Boston College. After college, I moved to Chicago, where I co-founded The Dead Squirrel Project, an artist collective with a dedicated studio and gallery space in Ravenswood. We exhibited our work in Chicago and Seattle, participated in group exhibitions, and completed commissioned pieces for private collectors. During that time, I was also an ensemble member of the Neo-Futurists, where I wrote and performed original theater. Those experiences taught me to pay attention to the small details that tell a larger story, something that continues to shape my painting today.

Although my career eventually took me into the world of technology, entrepreneurship, and business leadership, painting and writing have always been the creative threads running through my life. Returning to the studio has felt like coming home.

Today I paint primarily in acrylic and oil, creating original works that celebrate light, home, and the beauty hidden in everyday spaces. My hope is that each painting brings a sense of warmth, calm, and familiarity to the home where it ultimately lives.

Thank you for visiting my gallery. I'm honored to share my work with you.