A letter from Cristina:

I am greatly influenced by my Hispanic heritage. Born in Los Angeles, I am the daughter of a Anglo American mother and a Mexican American father. Because of my appearance combined with the time and place I lived, I experienced prejudice growing up; events that caused me to identify deeply with my Mexican American heritage.

My paternal grandmother (Catalina Maria Ortiz Acosta) was a classical pianist and gifted Renaissance woman. Her ancestors included the original Spanish settlers and soldiers that settled in North America in what is now New Mexico in the late 1500's and 1600's. She had antique blankets and other objects from the centuries of life her ancestors had lived in the Southwest region. I found the objects in her home continually fascinating.

As a young child I would often listen to her practice Debussy, Bach or other classical piano pieces as I played with Native American objects from our family's past or leafed through her collection of antique books, looking at engravings. From her I observed the example of the artist's life.

The influence of this part of my culture inspires my series of Madonnas. Painted with oil, sterling silver, copper or 22kt. gold metal leaf and inlays of antique 24kt gold glazed ceramic tiles, these Madonnas include symbols that delve past the dawn of Christianity, and also represent the earth religions of the Native Americans. New Mexico was a frontier for almost three hundred years. Because travel was often unsafe and difficult, access to clergy was sporadic, thus the tradition of the retablo developed as a home altar. They are beautiful additions to any spanish art or southwest art collection.

Buy a Painting: for pricing and availability, contact me.

Nordstrom Stores National Hispanic Heritage Exhibits have included Cristina's Madonnas in October 2005 and October 2006.

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La Sirena Verde / The Green Mermaid 18" x 24" Click here to learn more.	La Conquistadora /The Corn Maiden / Dine Spider Woman 42"x60" A symbol of the peaceful accord the Spanish eventually reached with the Pueblo and Dine tribes, she is the USA's oldest Madonna. Click here to learn more.	Guadalupe with Tear 18"x24" This Madonna is serene despite her intuition that her child would meet great challenges. Click here to learn more.
Our Lady of the Winter Snows 24"x36" Layers of Sterling Silver with oil paint reveal the Madonna cradling her heart in her hand. Click here to learn more.	Lady of Czestochowa, The Black Madonna of Poland. 24"x36" Click here to learn more.	La Conquistadora with Corn 18"x24" Holding the food of life over her heart, she watches over the land. The floral motif symbolizes her blessings. Click here to learn more.
Guadalupe with Crown, The World is Her Heart 18" x 24" Click here to learn more	Christmas/Nativity Angels Dance with Joy for You, retablo -- Santos style 36"x36" tri-panel. Click here to learn more	La Sirena / The Mermaid 18" x 24" Click here to learn more
Maria Madonna, Retablo in gratitude for the blessing of creation. 36"x36" tri-panel. Click here to learn more.	Dancing Madonna, retablo, ex-voto, 26" x 26" tri-panel. Click here to learn more.	Rock Canyon Madonna, retablo, ex-voto, 26" x 26" tri-panel. Click here to learn more.
Eve & the Tree of Knowledge 42" x 60" Click here to learn more.	Dolores Huerta & Cesar Chavez Si Se Puede (Yes You Can) 18" x 24" Click here to learn more	St. Isidore, Patron Saint of Agriculture, retablo - Santos style 36"x36" tri-panel. Click here to learn more.
The Blessings of Love 36"x36" tri-panel Retablo in the tradition of the New Mexican Ex-voto. Click here to learn more.	Expulsion 38"x50" Click here to learn more.	La Malinche as the Guadalupe with the Three Sisters, Corn, Squash and Beans 42"x 60". The Madonna is with the 3 foods necessary to thrive in the SW. Click here to learn more.