In Christina's words:
Although American, I was raised in Europe. From an early age, I was influenced by many different painting styles, from the Old Masters to Abstract Expressionists. I have always been enraptured with color and the power of a paintbrush. When I returned to the U.S. for my Bachelor’s Degree, I spent four years painting in the studios of Skidmore College, in Saratoga Springs, NY. It didn’t take long for me to abandon the constraints of fruit-bowl still-lifes and embrace the dynamics and freedom of abstract painting. With a degree in Fine Arts, Departmental Honors, and a minor in Business, I moved to Atlanta to attend The Portfolio Center for advertising. I was an art director for more than a decade, working at agencies in San Francisco and Atlanta. While art directing, I always pursued my love of contemporary painting. Now I’m happy to be able to dedicate myself completely to my art. I continue to love the process associated with pure abstract work, but I also paint the occasional transitional or representational piece. My work is exhibited in approximately a dozen galleries, primarily in the Southeast. In 2006, I was honored tremendously by being chosen as an “Emerging Artist” by Art & Antiques magazine, with a subsequent article and profile appearing in their June issue.
Comments
I am not an artist who does “themes”. Although my abstract paintings have an identifiable look, my style continues to evolve. I’ve noticed my choice in color palettes also changes from year to year, even month to month. I do not want to ever become bored with what I am creating, and more importantly, do not want those viewing my work to ever become bored with what they are looking at. On my canvases, certain constants usually exist. I apply a generous amount of paint and work in layers, letting luminosity, depth, and texture compliment and contrast. Stylistically, areas of intense activity are juxtaposed with areas of calmness. And many of my compositions are anchored with geometric shapes and lines, which can create both balance and tension within a painting.
Since creating abstract art is such an organic process, there is no set formula or amount of time before a painting reveals itself. The fact that the process itself dictates the end result goes hand-in-hand with my belief that a painting not just be labeled original art, but literally be something that can never be exactly duplicated. I also believe that appreciating an abstraction is much more about feeling than analyzing. So I don’t offer philosophical rationales, since interpretation is primarily emotional and therefore subjective at its core. My goal as an artist is straightforward: to create what I love and hope that people may love what I create.
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