Interview with Artist Christina Ridgeway

AHC: Can you tell us a bit about your process, themes & inspirations?

​Christina: I have been inspired by many things over the years: nature, folklore, religion, emotion… but I suppose it all comes back to how I, myself, relate to these things. When I have an idea for a painting it usually comes to me in a flash. The rest then falls into place like puzzle pieces. I work together with a bunch of beautiful, inspirational models to create work which tell that story, my relation to nature or how I felt reading that story or even how I felt going through something in my own life. But I like to leave these things open ended. There needs to be space for the viewer to fit themselves into it and make it their own. That to me creates the best artwork.
​

AHC: What first drew you to art? Was there a specific moment in your life or turning point where it became clear to you that you were being called to create?

​Christina: If life were only so simple! I, like most artists I suppose, were drawing before they had even have memories of drawing. I never saw it as a career though, even in high school when applying to art universities - I always thought of a more practical application of art. But like I said, life isn’t so simple. I never got to go to any of those art universities and spent the early part of my adult life around Europe. By the time I settled in Sweden and  I picked up the paintbrush again it had been years since I had created. It started more as a way to pass the time than anything else, but the more I created the hungrier I became to become better and the more I had to say. I guess in some ways it was a snowball effect.
​

AHC: Who are some of your artistic influences? Is there anyone outside of the art world who has had a huge impact on your work or who just generally inspires you, writers, filmmakers, musicians etc?

​Christina: Most of my current artistic influences are my peers! Looking at my Facebook newsfeed is both inspirational and disheartening at the same time! The smooth skinned perfection of Sarah Joncas, the phenomenal storytelling of Martin Wittfooth and just about everything to do with Andrea Kowch… there are so many amazing artists at work right now today, it feels like such an exciting time to be creating! If not intimidating ;). Outside the world of art I have definitely been inspired by singer Agnes Obel, writer Neil Gaiman and the composer Dustin O’Halloran. 
​

AHC: Those "journals full of stories and poetry" from your youth, has any of it made its way into your work, small nods to your younger self?

​Christina: Oh sure, in small subtle ways. I had a lot more fire in me back in my teenage years. I think time, maturity and experience have made all those things I used to obsess and write about smoothen out into what you see today. My endless dialogue about human nature, good and evil, the mysteries of the forest… I suppose I will be working my whole life figuring these things out. Back then the drawings were a bit wild in comparison, pregnant bellies and ´monsters. We all learn though that monsters come with pretty faces and new beginnings often start from ashes. As I grow and learn - so do my paintings.
​

AHC: What is it about myth and religion that you find so compelling as a narrative device for your work?

​Christina: In simple terms, reality and concrete are boring. Ancient stories hold all of the magic which has been lost today. I like that, I like that there was a time when people really believed in magic and forces beyond our control. Religion is different. I have a strange relationship with religion. I kind of view it as a strange authority figure which I feel the need to contradict, as it is in itself so hypocritical. I have spent a lot of time researching Christianity, in particular the bits and pieces left out of the Bible or the misinterpretations of the original text. I like exploring those stories and odd translations in my own work - I find it fascinating that millions of people can follow religious text which is merely a shell of what it was meant to be. Or even worse - an archaic example of how the world needed to work 2,000 years ago which has no real function in modern society. I could go on forever I suppose, which is why I paint it instead. A picture says 1,000 words!
​

AHC: Can you talk some about what you describe as your "compassion for the lonely and the broken"?

​Christina: Well, it is just that. I understand how it feels to be both those things. I think anyone who has lived abroad in particular can know that feeling, but let’s face it. Life is never simple and easy - we all have our own version of lonely and broken. I enjoy painting pieces which have a strong emotive feel to it because I want others to understand they are not truly alone. Almost every other person on this planet knows how it feels to be sad, helpless, broken hearted… that is the great irony of humanity really. We all feel alone in our own little bubble going through the trial and tribulations of a bodily experience and yet we are in fact all connected. The best pieces of art, in my opinion, are like the best songs. They leave room for your own interpretation, your own story - so you can glide into them and really feel that strong connection. That “ah-ha” moment where you say “yes, exactly, that is exactly how I felt”. That is my mission as a painter. 
​

AHC: What is the first work of art you encountered that took your breath away?

​Christina: I had to really think about this one! I believe it was “Midsummer Eve” by Edward Robert Hughes. I probably saw it for the first time when I was about 12 and we were studying Shakespeare in school. To me that painting was perfection, a nighttime forest scene full of magic! I loved the thought of stumbling into a clearing at twilight and finding fairies. I still love it today.
​

AHC: Do you have any upcoming exhibits or new projects you'd like to tell people about?

​Christina: I do! I am personally curating a show in support of the charity Mission Blue. It will be held at Haven Gallery in New York with an amazing lineup of artists. Mission Blue works towards protecting our oceans so they have a chance to heal and recover after decades of manmade abuse. A percentage of all sales goes directly to supporting this goal - so definitely something to check out! The show opens on October 29th, 2016. You can follow Haven Gallery online to see all of the work as it comes out!

For more information visit plantiebee.com/ 
​