Meet Christian Klingeler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christian Klingeler.

Christian, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was in two wars and one major operation when I was in the United States Marine Corps. Needless to say, I suffered a lot from with emotional stress returning from active duty. However, I now know that people just don’t understand the suffering and pain military men and women go through returning home. A great example is when I returned home but was feeling confused, I went to seek help from the VA hospital, which is best explain as the motel 6 of health care. You expect an attitude, the beds lumpy, water stains on the ceiling, and a few cockroaches in the room. I was told “I am too young to have PTSD”. So I did what any marine with combat skills does join the police department. I worked my way up from Security to a Federal Agent, with police officer in the middle. I threw myself into trying to help others as a way to help myself.

As the years went by the PTSD grew into anxiety and depression, while I tried to just keep it together. After 20 years Of service to my country (as in military, police, Federal agent) I met my wife who is a great inspiration and made me realize that the law enforcement is a reactive Position to help others and if I want to make a difference I need to get in front of the reaction. So I went on to get an education and become a psychologist. Ten years of school and finally graduated with my Masters in Psychology. This is where my PTSD limited myself. I can honestly say that physically going to school was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. Testing my emotional insecurities and mental capacity, going to school was a drastic relief from law-enforcement. However, after 10 Straight years of school and 20 years of law-enforcement I suffered a mental breakdown. To which I am still battling. It seems the PTSD has grown over time into an inability To function due to anxiety and depression. I understand many people don’t quite comprehend the severity of anxiety.

I personally never thought about anxiety as a disability. However in June 2018, I suffered what I can only explain as a stroke caused by stress and anxiety. My right side of my face droops slightly. I suffered memory loss and inability to speak, think, communicate, or handle any type of stress. I attempted suicide for the first time since just after the Marine Corps. A darkness fell upon me with the unknown of my mental ability to continue into my psychology career or any type of job. I reached out for help through the VA, HR from my job at the time, unemployment, and even short term disability insurance from my previous job. All of which requested documentation which my many counselors, psychologists, and neurologist was going to provided. However, all reasonable efforts were made to receive some sort of benefit, help or monetary funding to pay my bills were all rejected due to the inability to acknowledge that anxiety is a disability.

With that said, something extraordinary happened. Through the counselor appointments that I was going through to help understand what was going on in my life a recommendation to Do an activity that helps me relax. I remembered I painted a little when I was living in Seattle just after the Marine Corps, I thought maybe I could paint again to help me relax. So in August 2018, I painted a few paintings submitted it to a couple of different places in which I was signed through a Los Angeles curator who is very well-known. I can’t divulge the name as of today, But you will see my art being displayed in high-end retailers coming this fall. Since last year I’ve also been featured in Phoenix home and garden magazine, saatchi Art, and some other local affiliates.

One of my favorite quotes that sums up life is “just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming” ~ Dori

Has it been a smooth road?
My biggest obstacle is to be positive. The challenges that come with overcoming anxiety, depression is stressful to just think about. The goal is just to be normal. The way to do this is simply not allowing the feelings of depression, anxiety, and negativity to not be allowed in your mind. The conscious mind (which is the thoughts you control) needs to be controlled, in which you acknowledge a thought (negative or not) write it down, then move on. The goal is to have a clear mind. If the negative thoughts or feelings return, tell them you already reviewed this and look at the notes. Move on.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am now an artist (IG: christianKgallery) I’ve worked for 30 years to know that I am happy creating art. The texture of oil painting is calming and I allow myself to feel free to experiment. There are no rules or micromanagement in art, I specialize in abstract oil paintings and most proud of overcoming mistakes and allowing mistakes to be inspiration for new art. As Bob Ross said, “There are no mistakes, just happy Accidents.” You will see my art in high-end furniture stores this fall. I also write and record music, but I think I’m the only one who likes it (Spotify: Inraged)

Tell us about your favorite and least favorites things about our city.
I love Phoenix! I Love the weather and there’s so much to do. I moved from Seattle and Phoenix is like a vacation everyday. I love all the local breweries and food places are popping up everywhere and they are so good! What I don’t like are the sudden storms that come out of nowhere.

Pricing:

• Music is free on Spotify or for purchase on iTunes

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.christiankgallery.com/#!
• Phone: 520-401-7001
• Email: christian@christiankgallery.com
• Instagram: Christiankgallery
• Facebook: Christiankgallery
• Twitter: Inraged_inc

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.