Check Out Christiana Lewis Ulwelling’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christiana Lewis Ulwelling.

Hi Christiana, 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?
Christiana comes from a long history of repeated traumas but also a long history in creativity from both her birth mother and adopted mother. She was taken away from her birth mother who was on drugs and alcohol at 2.5 years of age and placed into several children’s homes and foster care until she was adopted at 5. Although she had a good roof over her head there was a lot of abuse in the adopted family as well. This catapulted her into a world of reckless behavior in addiction because of low self esteem and severe abandonment issues . She suffered several sexual assaults as well as emotional abuse for the first thirty years plus of her life.
The one saving grace for Christiana was her God given creative outlet, which she has had since around the age of five. With no one to trust and no one to turn to art became her refuge, escape and world. After finishing college in California she took of in the 1900’s and moved to New York City for 10 amazing years, where she learned to be a scrapper and surviver, letting much of her past go and focusing on her art career. She had her 1st one woman art show at age 25 in Boston, then New York, Los Angeles, France and onward until now, where she is currently in Gilgardi Gallery in Chelsea London.
Christiana used to create works that were more dark in subject matter depicting her past, but now living a sober life her works are bright filled with joy, hope, love and change.

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?
Christiana’s obstacles and challenges mainly came from self worth or lack there of which lead her to addiction. When in addiction one’s vibration is at a very low level she believes. Being sober has changed her entire life and opened up doors not only in her art career, but in her personal relationships and the one with herself. “ As long as I have a strong personal relationship with God and do his will not mine , life is beautiful…even in the dark times. “

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a biomorphic, abstract painter. I enjoy going in between the human form and also hiding the human form underneath swirling abstractions. My new series is called “ Beneath it all, swimming in emotions “, where I start with the human form and cover it up with the emotions I am examining, or need to at the time. My purpose in my work these days is Process not perfection, enjoying the wet paint and moments rather than trying to create a perfect piece where accolades and praise is the purpose.
We all have a story, some darker than others, but I use my medium as a source to help others if and when possible. I shall not be so arrogant as to think my art has that much impact, but I certainly hope it can spark open a heart or two.

How do you think about luck?
The roll of luck is not existent for me, I believe it is self love, beautiful persistence in your craft and good old fashioned door knocking to say….Hey I have something to share with you and I am worthy. I believe strongly that when Craft, heart, authenticity, truth, love and SERVICE are combined the world can be anything you dream.
I can give you a few examples starting with last summer 2025. I received an email from the London Biennale about applying. This show had over ten thousand global applicants and 345 were accepted. I got in..why. Because I was confident in my body of work, had little ego but believed , why not me. The show was amazing as well, no fees to get in and total support The Who way. Another time I had a studio at Art Share LA and a Palm Springs Gallery owner came in and loved my work! I was prepared and grateful. And finally back in early 2000’s when I moved back from New York City, I really wanted to get into Bergamot Station Galleries in Los Angeles. I went to several galleries whom all reject me, I felt defeated and wanted to quite painting all together. A good friend called me and said she met a galley owner there and showed him my work, his response was, “ Wow they just don’t get her yet”, needless to say that was an amazing 10 year relationship with many shows and sales.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.christianafineart.com
• Instagram: @christiana_fineart
• Facebook: @christiana colorfulsouls
• LinkedIn: @christiana lewis Ulwelling
• Youtube: @christianalewisulwelling