Chriss creates quilts that are not used for linens but rather experienced as works of art. Bold contrast and abstract shapes using repetition are the foundation for each contemporary art quilt Chriss makes. She seeks to find connections through exploration of abstraction and looks for ways to push ambiguous figure ground. Her curious nature encourages experimentation with formal design elements. Chriss chooses to honor history and demonstrate that contemporary quilts have evolved and can be a category of fine art all to themselves.

Twila Tharp inspired Chriss to aggressively follow her interests when she wrote, "Honey, it's all been done before. Nothing's really original. Not Homer or Shakespeare and certainly not you. Get over yourself."

Soloman said this another way in Ecclesiates 1: 9-11: "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again, there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new?" It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. There is no remembrance of men of old and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow."

Chriss endeavors to bring her unique self to each work, knowing that she stands on the shoulders of many giants in whose steps she gratefully follows.