Ok, so I’m not doing so good with my New Years resolution to update my blog more often…….

But in my search for contemporary artists in Florence I am on my way!  I thought  I’d start with those closet to me, so I would like to introduce you to my good friend and very talented artist Christine De Melo.  Chrisitne is American and like many artists came to the city of Florence to study the history of this incredible city and brought along her the influence of several cultures and the various cities, which she has called home.  

Mother Nature: Collage, Acrylic, paper, fabric, glitter on canvas board

Chrisitne was born and raised in Boston Massachusetts by Portuguese parents making her first generation American and giving her duel American and Portuguese citizenship and grew up speaking only Portuguese at home.  After graduating from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with a degree in Art History and just a few courses shy of a minor in painting, Chrisitne moved to Sao Paulo Brazil where is lived for 3 years.  Bright vibrant colors, traditional festivals and summer evenings on the beach watching Capoeira have all contributed to and inspired this new body of work.  Christine moved to Florence 3 years ago to work as a historical tour guide where she also began using her education in art history to research and write historical fiction, which she is generously making available to read online at http://hubpages.com/hub/SABINA .  (I had the exclusive privilege of reading this novel last spring and enjoyed every moment of it.)

Untitled: Acrylic, paper, glitter, fabric, on canvas board

In addition to sharing her knowledge of the city of Florence through this novel Chrisitne also contributes her past experience as a make-up artist by offering beauty tips at http://hubpages.com/hub/European-Fashion-Beauty-Tips

The Magic Garden: Acrylic, fabric,  glitter, paper, on canvas board

Putting it all together, American upbringing, Portuguese parents, 3 years in Brazil, 3 years in Florence Italy, Art, Fashion and Beauty, makes for a distinctive lively pallet with lots of layers, textures, and colors. 

Mother Nature 2: Acrylic, paper, glitter, fabric, on canvas board

Being the gifted writer that she is I have left the following info in her own words:

dob: 20 November 1969

education: Art History BA (Summa Cum Laude) UMASS Dartmouth

profession: tourism

passions: writing historical fiction and creating artwork (painting, drawing)

Red Poppies: Acrylic on wood

years in florence: from 2003-2006 I lived in Florence "part-time" (spring and autumn). When not in Florence, I was either in Naples, FL or in Sao Paulo, Brazil where I had my apartment. In 2007 I moved full-time to Florence and have been here ever since.

background: My parents claimed that I was drawing as soon as I figured out how to hold a crayon (age 3). That's all I wanted to do as a child. I remember getting stuff like games and dolls but I was not interested in anything except drawing and coloring. I would strip the clothes off my dolls, look at them and draw female figures based on their bodies. I loved to design fabulous outfits and costumes and grew up wanting to be a fashion designer. As the years passed I experimented with colored pencils, pastels and charcoal. In my senior year of high school, my art teacher gave me a gift of watercolors. Later, I took a watercolor course in the Art Institute of Naples, FL and even had a show. When I decided to go back to college (after a career in the fashion/beauty industry), I enrolled as an illustration major, then changed to Art History. All my electives were drawing or painting and that is where I began to use acrylics (13 years ago). I love to paint-  especially on discarded items like old canvases, wood panels and boards. Since I believe in recycling, I find it challenging and rewarding when I can put my imagination to good use and turn trash into treasure.

inspiration: Color, pattern and texture are the three basic characteristics of my work. I am also interested in good composition and the handling of negative space.

I am inspired by many late 19th century artists, architects and designers.

Painting: Klimt, Schiele, Gauguin, Degas, Lautrec, Matisse

Architecture: Gaudy

Design: Clique and Tiffany 

Recently, while in Vienna, I was delighted to discover the work of late 20Th century artist Hundertwasser who shares my love of nature and the philosophy that biomorphic shapes are naturally occurring whereas the straight line is not. His architecture (like Gaudi) is rounded, uneven, whimsical and simply marvelous. Since architecture is language, one cannot help but smile being inside a space like that. In Barcelona, I got that same pleasant feeling inside the houses designed by Gaudi. As an artist, I want the viewer to truly enjoy my work and be emotionally uplifted by them. I do not want my work to come across as superficial or naive- especially since living in Brazil exposed me to all the horrors and poverty a third world country has to offer. I do not want to ignore all the problems that are going on in the world today, I simply want to give people a sense of joy and hope.

Christine at work in her studio, I'll be sure to post a follow up to show you how this painting turns out!