Cristina is an artist with an eye to humor, the ironic and social commentary.
She started creating art for fun at the age of six, painting random objects and landscapes. Her early experience sparked a lifelong fascination with the visual world, a curiosity that continues today.
Cartoons – from Disney’s Mickey Mouse and the Simpsons to Charlie Brown – colored Cristina’s childhood, “I spent countless hours immersed in these fantastical worlds which fueled my imagination and nurtured my sense of storytelling,” she says. “In fact, cartoons were a big part of how I learned English – by absorbing the language through dialogue and sound effects.” Cristina lives in Bucharest, Romania and speaks Romanian, English and Hebrew.
In 2020, during the global pandemic, Cristina made a strategic decision to transition from her work as an online social media marketing manager in Bucharest to focus solely on her art. She now reimagines her favorite cartoon characters placing them in inventive, modern situations with an affectionate and humorous touch.
“I’m a self-taught artist,” she says, “and I’ve cultivated my skills through studying the works of other artists, watching online tutorials, attending workshops, engaging with online art communities and experimenting with different techniques.”
She’s inspired by the works of Pop artists Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol, Neo-Expressionist Jean-Michel Basquiat, satirist Banksy and street artist Alec Monopoly. She’s attracted to Lichtenstein and Warhol for their groundbreaking use of imagery and exploration of consumer culture. She is also drawn to Pop Art’s bold colors and celebration of everyday objects.
“When I need inspiration for color palettes or themes, particularly when working on a piece featuring a cartoon character, Pop Art becomes a natural reference point,” she says. “The social commentary and street art roots of Banksy and Alec Monopoly also resonate with me while Jean-Michel Basquiat’s raw energy and exploration of social themes inform my work with a sense of urgency and personal narrative.”
Initially, Cristina’s Pop art focused on popular cartoon characters in simple backgrounds, allowing her to explore vibrant colors and the inherent humor in Pop culture. Over time, she’s created more complex narratives that often include text to interpret the story behind the image.
An example of a personal narrative Cristina’s notes is ‘With Music You Never Walk Alone,” a painting featuring Mickey Mouse crossing a big city street listening to his favorite tune. “I wanted to capture that feeling of being buoyed by the rhythm of music,” she says. “Mickey Mouse, a universally recognized symbol of happiness, acts as an everyman, demonstrating that music’s uplifting power transcends age and background.”
Her creative process usually starts with a core concept, which develops into a specific piece. In Cristina’s painting, ‘’Chilling in the Forest,” she first thought of “chilling” and how best to convey its style and setting. Next she chose a character, Bart Simpson, to embody the concept.
“Bart Simpson, known for his mischievous yet carefree personality, she says, “seemed like a perfect fit. I then considered how Bart would typically ‘chill’ – instead of lounging on his iconic skateboard I pictured Bart relaxing on a red van, parked in a serene forest.”
Cristina sees humor as a powerful tool for layering meaning. By placing characters in unexpected or funny situations, she creates a sense of amusement that draws people in. “I often use humor to highlight the absurdity or irony within this world of mass-produced imagery and relentless consumption,” she says.
Cristina prefers using acrylics, combining them with aerosol spray paint and markers for bold accents. She sketches her characters directly onto cotton canvas. While enjoying the precision of brushes, she’s recently discovered the expressive possibilities of palette knives. “They allow me to create a unique textural quality that adds depth and energy to my paintings,” she says.
She is constantly pushing boundaries by incorporating unconventional materials like vinyl records and skateboard decks into her paintings. The backgrounds are meticulously crafted to complement the central message and character.
Beside cartoon characters, Cristina paints satirical portraits as well as tributes to iconic, influential women – among them artist Frida Kahlo, fashion designer Iris Apfel and actress Marilyn Monroe.
She was particularly drawn to the classic elegance and subtle emotional ambiguity in the woman’s expression in “The Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Johannes Vermeer. She also loved the vibrancy and playfulness of Pop Art and wanted to create a piece that bridged two seemingly contrasting styles.
“Frida Kahlo, she says, “has been a huge inspiration for me. Her unwavering self-expression and strength in the face of adversity are truly remarkable. By painting her, I wanted to celebrate those qualities and send a message of empowerment to the viewer.
“Iris Apfel was a champion of individuality and self-expression through fashion, and that’s something I deeply admire,” says Cristina “I wanted to pay homage to her unique style, a celebration of embracing boldness, maximalism, and the joy of wearing whatever makes you feel fantastic!”
Cristina found Marilyn Monroe a cultural touchstone, and her image continues to hold a captivating allure. “I wanted to celebrate her timeless beauty and the enduring legacy,” she says. “Pop Art, with its bold colors and mass-produced aesthetic, seemed like the perfect medium to capture her larger-than-life persona and enduring fame.”
Cristina continues to discover new and challenging content. “Thematically,” she says, “I’ve expanded the subjects I tackle, giving me the freedom to explore new narratives and deeper stories within my canvases.”
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