We recently connected with Christina Mastrangelo and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Christina, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Yes! As a child, everyone asks you what you want to be when you grow up- from the beginning my answer was always “an artist”. However, a few times really stand out in my mind. When I was 8, we went on a school field trip to the Norman Rockwell Museum. I remember having the most awe-inspired reaction to his beautiful paintings. While all the other kids were running around, I was staring at his artwork with pure joy and excitement! Every time I visited an art museum after that it was the same thing, and the pull became more intense. When I studied abroad in Italy during my junior year of college, I was the only artist in the program, and found myself NEEDING to paint. It was no longer a choice, the inspiration was bursting. I knew then that it couldn’t be ignored, and I’d have to pursue this career with every fiber in my body if I wanted to be happy, and a success.

Christina Grace, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My style is called Classical Realism: this means my work represents nature realistically, often subtly idealized to achieve order, harmony, and ultimately, beauty. You’ll find dramatically lit still lifes and florals, and carefully arranged subjects in my figure and portrait works. Often I focus on women and inner sanctuary, so, for example, rather than painting traditional societal portraits where the focus is on the individual, what that person is wearing, or who they are in society, I choose to paint women instead as archetypes of character. In one pose, I’ll depict a woman who is focusing on her inner being, hands held to her chest, not engaging with the viewer. In another, her hands create a beautiful gesture, but you can tell she’s thinking only of that. The paintings are also quite bare- nude and otherwise- so you’ll rarely find things to time-stamp them. This is a purposeful negation in order to create more universal and timeless images.

I currently have a solo show up at the St. Botolph Club in Boston, MA, where my latest florals, still lifes, portraits, and figure works are on display. There are 21 pieces about “Our Nature”, both our psychological state and the environment around us. The still lifes and portraits bring both definitions together, and as these pieces spiral up the staircase, each builds upon the next in narrative until the final 8-foot triptych, a bursting crescendo of 33 figures, whose bodies describe the struggle- and final triumph- of the human spirit.

Visit the exhibit at the St. Botolph Club, 199 Commonwealth Ave, Boston. It runs until September 1, 2022, and is open to the public on Wednesdays from 2-4pm or by calling the club for an appointment at (617) 536-7570.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I believe art is an experience, whether you attend an art opening or have originals hanging on your walls. To foster a thriving art scene, show up to openings and engage in the art culture in your city. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how art openings are welcoming to all, and very social. It’s the perfect event to attend with friends before dinner. I recommend asking the artist about their work, too- it becomes a learning experience, and you’ll understand more as you walk around and look at the work. Plus there are free drinks and appetizers, a lovely way to spend an evening. Art openings are one of our favorite free things to do!

I also think that if you have the means, buy what you love. When you walk into a gallery, what are you attracted to? You’ll find that it will transport you day after day- there’s nothing like it, not looking at TV, reading, listening to music… these pieces of art, big or small, will make you think, pull your mind in, and you’ll find peace in that. I have that experience in my home every day, and often think how others miss out on how transformative that is.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative?

The feeling of painting as an act in itself- when you hit your stride and become unable to pull yourself away from what you’re creating, when nothing else exists besides putting paint to canvas, when you’re in the thick of it, struggling, searching… and then suddenly things click, the form starts to emerge, and your struggles to obtain a likeness are realized, that’s the most heady and rewarding feeling. I chase that artist high every time I pick up a brush. Most days it doesn’t come, but when it does, I remember why I love painting. It’s not outward praise, or anything external… it’s in the action, the pursuit, and finally meeting your vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.christinamastrangelo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christina_mastrangelo_artwork/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinagrace.mastrangelo

Image Credits
Christina Grace Mastrangelo