Chris graduated from The Taft School in Connecticut class of 1985. He then went on to receive a BA from Bucknell University in PA and an MFA from NYU in New York City. Chris also studied acting with Bill Esper at the esteemed William Esper Studio in Manhattan as well as studying at Studio Art Centers International in Florence, Italy.

Chris especially loved summers in picturesque Gloucester, MA as a way of maintaining his profound connection to the water. As an avid year round surfer, Chris could be seen with his board in tow on any local beach if there was swell to be found.

He was predeceased by his father, esteemed American Landscape painter David Armstrong.