Cristina Acosta is a vibrant
artist with a magical style. Lush, beautiful color and dynamic
design are the hallmarks of her art. She creates art that
transmits the joy of the moment.
She applies her artistic vision to a variety of mediums, receiving national acclaim for her artwork. Her artistry is featured in a variety of books and magazines, including her successful art book, Paint Happy!, She illustrated the children’s book, When Woman Became the Sea, and contributed to many other books and periodicals including Artist Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, House Beautiful, Latina magazine, Good House -keeping, and Woman’s Day home design publications. Museums, galleries and collectors nationwide exhibit or collect her work.
Letter from Cristina:
As as artist, one of my first entrepreneurial jobs was painting lettering and murals on store windows. I would walk from store to store, pitching my painting services for holiday and promotional images. That introduction to cold call sales and marketing paid off -- I learned some valuable business skills and paid for college.
I graduated in 1988 with a BFA in Painting from the University of Oregon, in Eugene. After school, I garnered a job as the lead and only (Bend, Oregon was a small town) billboard mural and lettering artist for an outdoor advertising company. This happened just before computers took over the hand painted work. For two years I painted 24’ x 11’ billboards of giant golf balls and cowboys roping and tying beer bottles. Painting for a paycheck 40 hours a week was an experience that taught me how to paint fluidly and to not obsess over details. As soon as the art looked good 50 feet up in the air and at 25 mph, it was finished. That experience gave me an artistic confidence I continue to carry with me.
It was soon obvious that computer printing
was truly the end of the hand painted sign business. I began
teaching at the local college. For the next five years, I
taught a variety of college art classes at night, and
developed my studio business during the day. During that
period, I was experimenting with a variety of mediums and
ultimately created my first national product, my Cristina
Acosta signature line of art tile. A national high-end art tile
company, Ann Sacks Tile & Stone (a Kohler Company) picked
up my line in 1991 and for the next several years, I
concentrated on my studio art tile business. Growing my
business, I sold Home Depot Expo stores and other
merchants my art tiles. As exciting as that experience was, I
eventually realized that I was not following my true calling
and decided to change course.
This decision wasn't entirely out of the blue. During the years I ran my art tile business, I had continued to paint; illustrated the children’s book, When Woman Became the Sea; licensed several images to manufacturing companies; and exhibited my paintings in a few regional galleries & museums.
After I changed course to concentrate on painting, writing became a new interest. Influenced by Julia Cameron's book, The Artist's Way, I journaled daily, discovering that I loved writing. Wonderful friends and teachers like Suzanne Schlosberg and my then publicist, Katy Yoder, mentored my writing. With their support I mustered the confidence to write an art instructional book for North Light, titled Paint Happy! During that time and until just recently I operated a gallery that sold my paintings. It was the fulfillment of my dream. I had a loft studio with a gallery in an old lumber Mill building in the Mill Quarter, I am grateful to have been a tenant during that time -- my former landlords have done an amazing job turning that area into a hip and lively part of town.
Having a gallery to showcase my art was the fulfillment of a dream. I covered the walls in gorgeous paint finishes. Friends took notice and would often ask for advice when painting their homes. One friend was so confused over her color choices that she stopped the construction process of her home until she could figure out the paint colors! I stated helping my friends with interior design color choices and soon realized that the typical approach used by interior designers didn't work . Most color choices for the client were based on fashion trends. For many people this isn't satisfying. They often end up with rooms that, while "nice" just don't seem to reflect their sense of themselves -- that thing that they can't really explain but know is missing.
I began synthesizing my knowledge of
choosing color into a method that takes only several hours.
With my guidance, people learn to choose color and then figure
out on which walls and structures to place the color. Word got
out that I could help people discover a palette of colors for
their home they loved and make the experience fun! My color
consulting business was born!
Now, I work from a studio attached to my home. Between color consulting appointmentsI spend my time painting and writing amid a Ponderosa pine forest. I love the solitude and look forwards to the next beautiful transformations in my work and life.
Resume – Full
Born: Los Angeles, California
Resides: Bend, Oregon
Education:
University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon BFA,
Painting
Central Oregon Community College, Bend, Oregon AA,
Fine Arts
Museum Exhibitions
High Desert Museum, Bend, Oregon – Hispanic Culture
Celebration – April 2006 Maryhill Museum of Art,
Goldendale, Washington – People, Places and Perceptions:
A Look at Contemporary Latino Art in the Northwest, July
– Nov. 2005.
Maryhill Museum of Art, Goldendale, Washington – Dia de
los Muertos event, October 2004, 2005.
Grants Pass Museum of Art, Grants Pass, Oregon –Solo
exhibit, North Gallery. April 1995.
Books & Periodicals-
wrote
Paint Happy, written and illustrated by Cristina
Acosta. Published by North Light Books, an F&W
publication, Cincinnati, Ohio. August, 2002. 119 page adult art
instructional book. Reprinted September 2004.
Books --
Illustrated
When Woman Became the
Sea, illustrated by Cristina Acosta, written by
Susan Strauss, published by Beyond Words Publishing, Portland,
Oregon. ©1998. 32 page children’s picture
book.
Books --
Contributed
Discovering Your
Visual Voice, by Dakota Mitchell and Lee Haroun,
Northlight Books, Feb. 2007, selected images of
paintings.
Triumph of Our
Communities – Four Decades of Mexican American
Art, by Gary D. Keller and Amy Phillips, Bilingual
Press/Editorial Bilingue, Arizona State University. Page 16
featuring Acosta’s paintings.
Ceramic Art Tile for
the Home, by Debora Goletz, Shiffer Books, Images of
tile kitchen and hand painted bowl on the foreword pages 6 and
7, and three other pages in the book. ©2001
Tile by Jill
Herbers, Artisan, a Div. of Workman Publishing Company, Inc.,
New York, NY, ©1996, page 80. Picture of custom tile
kitchen (Crane Kitchen, Beverly Hills, Calif.) Brief
description and listing in the appendices.
Handbuilt
Ceramics, by Kathy Triplett, Lark Books, Asheville, NC,
©1997, Picture of Cristina’s hand painted ceramic
pitchers, attribution.
The Clay
Lover’s Guide to Making Molds, by Pierce Clayton,
Lark Books Div. Altamont Press, Asheville, NC,
©1977. Page 52, picture of Cristina’s three
mosaic lamps, attribution. p.117 - picture of
Cristina’s hand painted ceramic teapot.
Periodicals --
Contributed
Latina Style, Su Casa,
Vol. 11, No.2 and No.3, No. 5. Ongoing Home Décor
Column 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.
Palette
Magazine, June 2005. Article for painters.
Latina Style, Vol. 9,
No. 6, 2003 (Dec.), Sun-Drenched or Subdued? Oregon-based
Latina artist Cristina Acosta offers tips on how to make sure
the colors of your home reflect the colors of your life. Page
16.
Reviews
Maryhill Museum of Art exhibit, Goldendale, WA – Astd.
Regional newspapers including: Daily World, Aberdeen WA,
8-7,2005;Columbian, Vancouver, WA 8-12,2005; Chronicle, The
Dalles, OR, 7-25-2005 . Associated Press:by Shannon
Dininny,”Museum Exhibit Reflects Evolution of Latino
Artists”
Paint
Happy:
Artist’s Sketchbook, “Brain Food” on page
54, April, 2003 issue.
The Artist’s Magazine, December 2002,
“Season’s Readings”, page 55, by Allison
Rost.
Today’s Books, “Best Reads”, Public News
Service, November 11, 2002.
Orange County Home, “The Bookshelf”, October,
2002. page 30.
When Woman Became
the Sea: Reviews of Cristina’s painting
illustrations in children’s picture book:
Bookman’s Weekly, November 1998
Booklist, October 1998
Kirkus Reviews, September 1998
School Library Journal, February 1998
Grants Pass Museum of Art exhibit – Grants Pass Daily
Courier, Grants Pass, Oregon, April 6, 1995. Section B
cover page 1. “Balance a Credit to Exhibit, by
Edith Decker.
Selected Juried Group
Exhibits
Jacob's Gallery, Hult Center, Eugene, Oregon. Invitational
Group exhibit, Latino
Visions, curated by Analee Fuentes, April and May
2008.
Mirror Pond Art Gallery -- Bend, OR, Invitational group
exhibit, May 2007
Nordstrom Stores: Love Now, a
national exhibit (in 15 stores) celebrating Hispanic Heritage
Month) 2006 - Our Lady of the Winter Snows, 2005 - La
Conquistadora. October 2005, 2006.
Hood River Arts Association, Hood River, OR, Oct. 2005 –
Invitational Group Exhibit and includes Artist Talk
Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber, Portland, Oregon, June 2004
through Sept. 2004. Chamber Office Art Display.
Mirror Pond Art Gallery – Bend, OR, Celebracion!
Invitational group exhibit of Latino artists. May 2005.
Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber, Portland, Oregon, June 2004
through August 2005. Chamber Office Art Display.
Belinki and Duprey Gallery -- Portland, Oregon: Arte Vivo
– A collection of 12 regional Latino artists. Eight oils
and retablos. Included Art Talk Oct. 2004-
Dec. 2005
Larson Gallery -- Yakima Community College, Yakima,
Washington. Sept. 12, 2004 through October 9,
2004. “Artistas de La Raza Cosmica. A Showcase of
30 National Latino artists. Five oils.
Mirror Pond Art Gallery – Founders Show – Ten year
anniversary show of the artists that founded this non-profit
regional art gallery. Oil and drawings.
Kathleen Ewing Gallery-- Washington, DC, July –August
2004: Dog Days Dog Show. One painting.
Gifts of the Spirit Exhibition – Portland, Oregon, First
Presbyterian Church, Nov. &
Dec. 2002, Juried group exhibit featuring “Angel
Comfort” and “The
Dreamer and Her Angel” paintings.
Mirror Pond Art Gallery – Bend, Oregon, Invitational
exhibit of three artists. July 2001. Featured retablo and
five images.
Redmond Airport – Redmond, Oregon, Juried group exhibit,
featured “Breakfast with Hans. Spring 2001. Featured
“Windswept”, Spring 1994.
Maude Kerns Art Center – Eugene, Oregon 1998.
“Home Arts” show. Feature ceramic tile
work.
Oregon State University – Corvallis, Oregon.
Student Union – 4 person show featuring Latino artists.
10 oil and metal paintings. November 1996.
Showcase ’96, ‘94’,’93, and ’92
-- Beaverton Arts Commission, Juried Shows –
Beaverton, Oregon. Oil painting, November 1992, 1993,
& 1994. Acrylic Pastel painting,
“Picnic,” November 1996.
Rejoice in the Arts Gallery – Group Show
“Genesis” – Lake Oswego, Oregon. September to
December 1996.
Works of Faith 1995 -- First Presbyterian Church, Portland,
Oregon. Juried Exhibit. Painting. May 1995.
Maude Kerns Art Center – 5-person Group Show –
Eugene, Oregon. Oil Painting. January/February
1995.
Central Oregon Community College, Pinkney Gallery -- Bend,
Oregon. Faculty Exhibit. January 1995, January
1994, January 1993, October 1991.
Sunriver Juried Art Show – Sunriver, Oregon. Group
Exhibit, Painting. Dec. 1993 - January 1994.
Blue Sky Gallery – Bend, Oregon. Featured oil painter,
3-person show. Aug.1993. 1993 Oregon State Legislature Show
(Central Oregon). Oil painting, March/June 1993.
New Mexico Art Leagues 22nd Annual National Small Painting
Juried Show. February 1993.
Linn Benton Community College – All Oregon Community
College Faculty Show. October 1992.
Solo Exhibits
Onda Arte
Latina, Portland, OR – Paintings, June 2006
Pettibone Art Gallery, Bend, OR – Paintings, April
2006.
University of Washington, Vancouver, WA – Library
Exhibit. May 2005 – October 2005. Included Artist Talk to
university students.
The Welcome Center – Bend, Oregon.
Paintings. July/August 1992.
Sunriver Lodge, Upper Gallery – Sunriver, Oregon.
Paintings. Oct/Nov. 1992.
Central Oregon Community College, Pinkney Gallery, Bend,
Oregon. Paintings and drawings, 1987.
Galleries
High Desert Gallery, Sisters, Redmond and Bend, Oregon --
Exclusive Central Oregon representative, April 2008 to
present.
Keller Morris Fine Art – Palm Desert, CA 2005, 2006
Onda Arte Latina – Portland, Oregon – 2005,
2006
Cathy Pettibone Gallery – Bend, Oregon – Paintings
2006
Cristina Acosta Art Gallery -- Bend, Oregon – Paintings,
etc. 1998 to 2004.
Cleaverheads Gallery – Monterey, California –
Paintings, April 2004 – Nov. 2005.
Glass Chameleon Gallery – Bend, Oregon – Paintings
and ceramics. 1998-2000.
Mirror Pond Gallery – Bend, Oregon -- Paintings and
ceramics. 1994 to 1998.
Blue Spruce Gallery-- Bend Oregon -- Ceramics and
Paintings. 1991 to 1997.
Mockingbird Gallery – Bend, Oregon -- Paintings.
1995-1996.
Retail Venues
Assorted home décor retailers nationwide – floor
mats 2000 to 2005
Assorted ceramic tile retailers nationwide, small chains,
independents (1995 to 2003)
Expo Design Centers, a Home Depot company, ceramic tiles:
Westbury, New York; Miami, Florida: Houston, Texas;
Atlanta, Georgia; San Diego, California. 1998-99.
Ann Sacks Tile and Stone, a Kohler Company, ceramic tiles: New
York, NY; Miami, FL; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Seattle, WA;
San Francisco, CA 1991-1997.
Assorted stationary retailers nationwide – greeting
cards licensed through Schurman Papers, 1994 –1998.
Bibliography -- See Press & Publications
National Interviews & Editorial, Regional Editorial
Coverage
Television
Oregon Public Broadcasting, Art Beat weekly show. April 2007.
Host KC Cowan. 10 min. Interview with paintings and design
work.
KATU – A.M. Northwest, Jan. 2003, Portland,
Oregon. Introduction of Paint Happy book and related book
signings. Cristina teaches the two show hosts to
successfully draw with two hands.
Mi Gente! My People, Show #4 Jan. 7, 1998, New York, NY, NBC
affiliate. Showed tile and brief description.
Small Business 2000 -- Interview by Hattie Bryant. Shown
on National Public Broadcasting. Topic covered the
“OK” business-consulting group. Interview displayed
tile and paintings. Fall Season 1996.
KCAL – Los Angeles, California, Channel 9. The
fires of Autumn, new piece discussing renovation after fire
devastation. Tile shown with Bolivar (Pasadena, CA
distributor) presentation, October 27, 1994. Page 33
KTVA – Bend, Oregon. Studio visit and Interview --
tiles and painting. Aprx. 5 minute segment, Sunday evenings and
weekday news trailer. Spring 1991.
KTVA – Bend, Oregon. Interview highlighting
billboard work and teaching at High Desert Museum.
Approx. 5 minutes. Spring 1989.
Licensees – Past &
Present
Figmints -- Blufton, NC: Floor mats
Beyond Words Publishing -- Portland, OR: book
illustrations
Marcel Schurman -- Fairfield, CA: greeting cards
Deschutes Brewery -- Bend, OR: art for seasonal ale label
Teaching &
Presentations
Art Workshops: nationwide.
Curriculum based on Paint Happy . Present.
Pacific University, Feminist Studies Program and the Central
Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ –
Female Spirituality Conference. Acosta’s
presentation, “Retablos and Ex-votos, a Spiritual
Journey” was part of the “Women’s
Altars—Beyond Borders” presentation. Lecture and
art. Forest Grove, OR March 16, 20002.
Oregon Historical Society, Oregon Folklife Program, Las Artes
Tradicionales en las Comunidad, 4-week class, Retablos
Ex-votos, a traditional Latino art form. March 2002.
Mirror Pond Art Gallery – One day “Licensing
Art” workshop. Spring 1998.
Central Oregon Community College, Bend, Oregon. College
Credit
Classes 100 and 200 levels: Figure Drawing, Basic Drawing, Oil
and Acrylic Painting. Part-time, Sept. 1990 to 1995.
The High Desert Museum, Bend Community College, Bend Metro
Parks & Recreation. Occasional classes --1988 till
1996.
Awards
Habitat for Humanity - Bend, OR Branch: 2004/2005 Garnered an
apx. $20,000. Grant from Benjamin Moore Corporate for paint for
the Silverlake subdivision. Donated my color consulting
services to the clients.
Latina Magazine annual award listing: February 2004,
“What We Love: 47 People, Places, &
Cositas every mujer must know.” Page 105, #33
–“One of the best places in the country to find
whimsical Latino artist is – Surprise!-- Bend,
Oregon at the CristinaAcosta Art Gallery…..”
ASW- Art Supply Warehouse “cover contest”,$1,000.
Prize plus featured cover artist “Winter Sale”
catalog. The painting “Juggling Stars”. Feb
2003.
Professional
Affiliations
Central Oregon Arts Association – 1984 to
present
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
– 1999-2006
Willamette Writers Guild – 2003 to
present
GAG – Graphic Artist’s Guild 1998 to 2000
TCA – Tile Council of America 1997 to 2000
Tile Heritage Foundation – 1995 to 2000
Related Arts
Employment
Mural and lettering artist –
Billboard painter, Carlson Sign Company, Bend, OR 1988
-1990.
Window sign and cartoon painter – Self employed, Holiday
and promotional signs on store windows. Central Oregon , Eugene
area, 1984 –1994.
Lettering artist– Created store show-card and display
signs and taught sign makers for other stores. Safeway, Bend,
Eugene, Oregon, 1987, 1988.
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