SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Old Town Scottsdale is known for its art galleries that showcase all different kinds of creations.
And just two weeks ago, a new gallery opened up: A dream come true for its owner, artist Christian Klingeler.
"To have a gallery now here is just unreal," Klingeler said. "It still doesn't feel real."
Klingeler hasn't always been an artist. In the 90s, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served in the Gulf War. He then became one of the first Federal Air Marshals following 9/11. After his time in the military, he became a law enforcement officer.
"People don't realize how tough it is," Klingeler said. "To be on call and arrive to a situation, you don't know what's going on, and you know you got to respond and act and react."
After enduring two decades of high stress and trauma, Klingeler said he suffered from depression and PTSD. Then he received a piece of advice that changed his life for the better.
"My therapist told me to do something that's calming and relaxing, and I always pictured oil on canvas to be very calming and relaxing," he said.
Klingeler went home, put on some music, picked up a brush and started painting. He said once the paint hit the canvas, it was like a calming wave washed over him.
"It's very therapeutic because you take your mind off or whatever you're stressing about, and you just kind of throw it on the canvas," he said.
The former marine discovered a new passion that freed him from the stress. With perseverance and the support of his wife, he dedicated himself to his art. Eventually, his work was picked up by a publishing company and he was able to open his own gallery.
"It's definitely a dream come true," the artist said.
Knowing how much art helped him through some of his darkest moments, Klingeler said for every piece of art he sells a portion of the profits is donated to PTSD and anxiety research — so that his art can help others heal too.
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