Chris is known for his paintings which are done with acrylic paint on 100% rag paper. He says that his ideas and subjects come from his surroundings. Chris usually limits his painting to miniatures of various sizes. He lives with his wife Alvera Poncho and daughter Nicole on the Zuni Reservation in west central New Mexico. Chris has won many awards and a few of them are listed below.

The Trail of Tears Show in Tahlequah, OK, Best in Category Miniatures 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993.

Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial in Gallup, NM, Best in Class Miniatures 1990; First Place Miniatures 1993.

Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, AZ, Best of Division Fine Art 1988; First Place, Second Place, Third Place Miniatures 1993.

Museum of Anthropology in Lawrence, KS, Merit Award 1993.

Santa Fe Indian Market, Traditional Native American Miniature Paintings: Second Place 1995, First and Second Place 1997, Challenge Award and First Place 1998, First Place 1999.