We are thrilled to share this insight into the life and studio practice of Switzerland-based, Italian artist Cristina B.
Cristina B. in her studio. Click here to see her porfolio.
Favorite material to work with?
I generally paint on canvas with acrylic colours, pastels, and pencils.
What themes do you pursue?
My work is basically led by the way I feel at the moment of painting. There is not a defined theme as I start; it develops as I draw lines and colours on the canvas. In a second moment, I define spaces and the colour palette: the dialogue between these two elements thus generates details and gives a shape to an as yet undefined concept.
How many years as an artist?
I’ve been painting since I got my first watercolour set.
Cristina’s brushes
Process> Concept or Process<Concept?
I think there is no general rule, it depends on each situation… However, I’d say they’re intertwined.
Sketchbook?
I generally use large brown paper sheets rather than a real sketchbook. Sitting in front of them I draw lines and signs, without defining details. It’s become a very important praxis to me, regardless of the result, as it works as a training for my hand and mind.
Where is your studio?
At home, I turned a room into my studio.
At work. Click here to see Cristina’s finished artwork.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
I’m actually still looking for a good advisor!
What’s around the corner from your place?
Wheat fields.
A piece of art you love?
“The Madonna of the Lilies” by William-Adolphe Bouguereau.
Detail of a work in progress. Click here to see Cristina’s completed work.
Favorite place to “get away”?
On a mountain, walking on meadows or through autumn woods.
Prefer to work with music or in silence?
Definitely I’m a silent painter.
Where can we find you outside the studio?
Out for a walk with my sweet doggie.
A few sketches.
Favorite contemporary artist?
Cy Twombly. I utterly love his natural approach to abstraction.
What could you not do without?
You can do without anything, the essential is being prepared.
If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?
Any of Monet’s paintings.
Cristina’s studio.
Why do you make art?
To open a dialogue with myself.
What do you collect?
I collect stones and pebbles. My top item is a piece of granite from Everest’s base camp.
Which living or dead artist would you most like to meet?
Joan Mitchell.
Food or Sleep?
Much food, little sleep.
Astrology or Astronomy?
Astronomy, with a special crush on asteroids (huge stones!).
Traditional or Conceptual?
Both! The essential is to reach one’s goal, if there is one.
Hi Christina, love your work and ideas here, so refreshing, very natural and honest. I really love how rich and vibrant your paintings are, it is such a hard balance to achieve bravo. All the best for 2013, I’m sure it will be fantastic.
Inspiring work
I discovered your work a few months ago now and look forward to news feeds on Facebook. I love your clever use of mark making techniques and your distinctive style. Thanks for sharing! Good Luck 
I’ve been a fan of Cristina’s work for awhile — so thrilled to see it profiled here.
Love this interview, Christina, I am a huge fan of your work!!!!!!!
GOOD Interviews. Best wishes from ART ellipse
Wow Cristina amazing interview, what a pleasure to learn more about an artist I admire, really inspiring. It’s great to find out about your process and see close ups of your work!! I’m interested in the idea of an advisor; on the one hand it would be great to have some old Matisse type character to lead you through the dark times but maybe the richness of your work comes from searching inside yourself and finding the answers on your own. I don’t know, but it’s something I wonder often. Best of luck Cristina!
Enjoying your works Cristina. I can see the inspiration with CY Twombly whose work I also adore Monet also being a favourite. Love your studio & work practise so many similarities with my own practise. The interview very interesting read… Thanks for sharing your art! Best wishes for you & your future!
Thank you for a refreshing interview and such beautiful work. It seems you’re very in tune with it and with yourself. All the best!
Great job, Cristina!! Super happy for you! keep on doing great art! Yu
Nice!-painting abstractions isn’t an easy thing because the deal isn’t ‘reproducing nicely’ recognisable shapes and the artist’s ability to place/space/doze proportions, gradients and all kinds of quazi-musical intervals is revealed and you R doing this nicely!
Beautiful work Cristina. I don’t think you need an advisor.
John
Great to meet you and your work
Hi Christina, great to run into you here on Saatchi. I enjoyed your straight forward interview and relate to your approach to making a painting. I am moving closer and closer to abstraction in my work and making a mark and responding to it feels like the most thrilling way to make a painting. I like what you said about feeling and dialogue here.
Elaine
WOW! Christina! Congrats to you! It sounds really awesome interview, you turned something ordinary into extraordinary, not intentionally but magically and bewitchingly. Keep rocking!