Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Twomey.
Christina, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
My husband Bobby and I are originally from Minneapolis, MN and after suffering through enough winters, Los Angeles drew us in for a few reasons: the film & production opportunities offered for his career – and, of course, the beautiful coastline & perfect weather. After we moved into our first home, I realized I had absolutely no art worth any sort of quality, but also couldn’t afford to purchase paintings from a gallery. At the time, we conveniently lived directly behind Jo Anne Fabrics off Pico and La Cienega, which I think was a sheer calling & blessing-in-disguise, as I’m not sure I would have attempted ‘art’ had we not.
One afternoon, I went over to JoAnne’s to purchase canvases, a pack of paint brushes, and acrylic paints to begin my venture creating beautiful art for my home. I’m not going to lie and say they were all perfect – some were hideous. But, I ended up with a couple pieces I was really proud of – so, up they went on the walls. A couple of weeks later, we hosted a house warming party to celebrate our new life in LA. Our friends kept complimenting the art and suggested I open an Etsy store….so, I did…and two weeks later, my first painting sold! Then, two weeks after that, a curator from RAW Hollywood contacted me to be in their show – and, subsequently asked, “where did you go to art school,’ and ‘how long ago did you start painting?’ I laughed and said, well, I didn’t go to art school, and I started painting only four weeks ago. She absolutely loved it – and invited me to participate in my first exhibition for their upcoming show on Sunset Boulevard. It was an incredible beginning, and I’m so grateful we happened to live behind JoAnne’s and needed art for our walls – as it’s changed my life, and allowed me to find & express my soul, daily.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I utilize a few different mediums in my work, depending on what a commissioned customer is looking for – or, if I’m trying out new styles for my own creations. My most favorite mediums at the moment are resin, pigments, alcohol inks and acrylic paints – and layering them on a very large scale. I’ve been fortunate to have most clients ask for large to extra large pieces to fit their interior & commercial spaces, which are always my favorites to complete.
My process involves working on each commission between 2-4 weeks due to the multitude of layers I include in each painting. This technique is also quite expensive, as I only utilize the best quality products on the market – and, churn through bulk quantities frequently. Each piece is basically 10-15 paintings on top of each other (depending on how many layers I add). Each layer is its own creation, and then it completely changes as I add on the next, and the next, and so forth. I really enjoy taking photographs of each layer to look back upon completion to see how the artwork evolved. I also believe the difference is in the details. I love exploring how the materials interact with each other and utilize a variety of techniques within each piece, to ensure the people looking at it have a maze of discoveries to make each time they view it. Some of my favorite pieces I’ve created are still so enjoyable for me to look at, as I find something new in them, every time I view it.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
Artists face a lot of challenges, as there is a real reason the term ‘starving’ is thrown about so frequently. The time and expenses incurred in creating beautiful art is substantial, and for emerging artists without name recognition, it’s hard to break even, or make a profit at all. Art, for most, is a labor of love. The moment my art hobby turned into a small business was life-changing, and as I look back and consider the thousands of hours I spent developing my craft nearly every night and weekend the past five years, it sometimes feels daunting to know I still have a long way to go. But, again, art is such a rewarding experience for the heart and soul, and really brings joy to my life. One of the best rewards is working with my commissioned clients, as the process of creative discovery is so unique to each person who purchases art – I really get the chance to dig into their story and help create a visual representation of what matters to them, for their homes & works spaces. Honestly, if the process of creating art wasn’t so rewarding emotionally & spiritually, I’d have a hard time wrapping my head around doing it.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
To be seen on a major HBO series, next fall! Details will be announced on our website blog as soon as the show airs.
As seen on Netflix, ‘To The Bone,’ marketing spots with Lily Collins & Keanu Reeves
As seen on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New Jersey
Saatchi Art’s ‘THE OTHER ART FAIR’ Exhibitor – March, 2019
MORET, EDITOR IN CHIEF OF INSTALLATION MAGAZINE NAMES CHRISTINA TWOMEY “MUST SEE ARTIST” at Saatchi’s ‘THE OTHER ART FAIR’
Represented by Gallery 104 in Tribeca, NYC, 1stDibs Design Center in Chelsea and on Artsy.com.
Martha O’Hara Interiors Supplier of Abstract & Resin Art
Two-Time Album Cover Art for Flight of Voices
Featured Artist at Fashion Speaks & Bravo TV’s Red Carpet Toys for Tots Event at the Le Meriden Delfina Santa Monica
Condé Nast House & Garden Magazine, 2018
Macy’s Home Furnishings LA
‘WHY NOT ART’ Los Angeles & London Gallery – Curator & Senior Curator Artist
The Beverly Hills Art Group
The Laguna Gallery of Contemporary Art – LGOCA Art Walk
Saatchi Art
Wescover
Best of Houzz Award for Service (2019, 2018 & 2017)
Chop Chop Gallery, Los Angeles
ArtShare LA Perimeter Gallery
Los Angeles’ Chocolate & Art Show
Podcast Interviewee for Female Entrepreneurs’ Who Inspire – with ‘Grace Savage Studios,’ January, 2019
RAW Natural Born Artists, Hollywood
And More!
Contact Info:
- Address: Laurel Canyon, LA 90046
- Website: www.ChristinaTwomey.com
- Phone: 954-328-7261
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @christina_twomey_art
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinatwomeyart/
- Twitter: @ctwomey10
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/christina6093/
Image Credit:
Bobby Marsden, My Husband & Managing Director of Christina Twomey Art + Design
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