Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Nightingale.
Hi Christine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
It all started back in Santiago, Chile. Year 1987, I was born into a family of artists and creatives where I grew up loving the smell of oil paint, watching my mom create in all kinds of mediums, from oil on canvas, to pottery to jewelry. I remember sitting for hours for my uncle to paint my portrait and how I deeply admired the artist style of being. My grandmother was an artist as well and a very creative person in everything she did. Her house had paintings everywhere, from floor to ceilings: no naked walls. So, I always knew that art was part of my essence and story. As a teenager, I moved with my family to the US and that was when art turned into something very important for me. In my 20’s I graduated as a Graphic Designer in Brazil, yes, I lived in Fortaleza for almost 10 years, but I knew that art was always my true passion. I painted more as a hobby for many years. After leaving Brazil in my 30’s is when I started to take things seriously as a painter and started to develop myself as a professional artist. Since then I have used my designer abilities to help me create my pieces. I started creating collections and showing my work in Chile, Brazil, and now in the US for the past 4 years.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I believe it is rare to say that it’s a smooth road as an artist. Most of the struggles are in the ability of believing in myself and keeping up the work and creativity even when there’s no sales or public recognition. Most people have very pessimistic ideas of what it means to live from your creativity and art (and you should definitely ignore those people’s advice)
Additionally, I always had to find other ways to help myself financially and juggle between different jobs. I’m also lucky to have my family’s support when needed. But those are phases and it’s ok! I believe those situations bring out more creativity and desire to move forward.
Also, the challenges as an immigrant Latino woman and how it is hard to be recognized in the art scene. The art market is tougher than it seems and you’re expected to invest a lot of money in order to show your work. I think we need more art spaces and people need to learn about art in order to really appreciate it and understand it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I paint mixed media on canvas in a meta-realist style. I create colorful paintings that portray themes of human connection with one another, with nature and with their higher selves. We could consider it some type of spiritual art. My paintings evoke and relate with the collective unconscious. Meta-realism would be the realism of the hyperphysical nature of things. It appeals to the superconscious. It exists in the realm of imagination and magic and in the senses of the higher self and mind. So, I paint where our visions and dreams may take us. It blurs lines between fantasy and reality, paying homage to the imagination, altered states, beauty and the process of creating worlds. It is a very personal view of the world though my perspective, and that is what makes it unique.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
The countryside girl, who was in love with nature and animals. Always trying to be different, or feeling out of place, but very friendly. She was friends with the cool kids but with the nerdy and the weird ones too. She was the good student and organized. Most people saw her as quiet and shy ( only in the surface) and that’s why she used art as her voice.
Pricing:
- I have prices depending on sizes and type of work/medium. *Prints are always a great option for gifts.
- I have works starting from $200 going up to $10,000
Contact Info:
- Website: www.christinenightingale.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm1hI0RrKcE/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisnightart?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Jonathan Windt
