Christina Lynn Todaro
Enthusiasm, tenacity, laughter & creative!
The words that come to mind when considering what tell you about Christina. She’s one to watch, and if you own an original, definitely keep an eye her art career! She has an adventurous streak too!
Description of Christina’s current paintings
The Mosaic Series started in 2013 with the “Mosaic Elephant” and is constantly evolving. When creating each animal, Christina Lynn Todaro moves fluidly through the process with sensitivity to the way she is feeling: every line, color, and texture is made focusing on the energy that encompasses her at the time. The animals are metaphors for things that are going on in her life. She loves placing meaningful symbols within the designs, and she always paints the eyes last.
“In this case,” Christina says, “I absolutely save the best for last! The eyes bring the animal to life!!”
All her paintings are acrylic on canvas. Commissions are welcome.
Tell us about yourself outside of the art world.
I love traveling to experience different cultures and exploring all the animals around the world! I love keeping fit doing yoga, running, and weight lifting! It is a way of life for me now. I took up winemaking in 2020 and I am exploring all the possibilities and flavor profiles! I was a mystery snail farmer for the last two years, but recently gave it up.
How did your art journey begin?
Ever since I was a little girl, I loved being alone and creating something from whatever I could get my hands on. I loved sewing up Barbie clothes for my Barbies and making accessories for them. I loved painting and drawing when I was little and was drawn to it. I would just do it!
And now?
I’m currently working on a koala bear painting and a kangaroo painting. Both were inspired by my most recent travels to Australia. I’m always trying to challenge myself with new media. I just finished a painting done with coffee of a cicada! It was a challenge, but I’m very happy with the result. I want to do more paintings in coffee; I think it could be a cool series. I’m always challenging myself with new media, but acrylic is my tried and true.
What are your big plans/goals for the future?
I want to keep traveling and getting inspired by the world! I want to share my experiences through my paintings with others! I want to go back to Italy and stay a while!
Do you have any big art plans?
I have a series of 13 paintings in my mosaic style about love in a non-traditional sense. I want to have a solo show showcasing these paintings in the future. They have never been seen! I want to keep growing the Mosaic Series! “I have artwork at the Whimsy Artisan. First Saturday Art Market, monthly.”
If you didn’t work in your medium, what would you choose?
Creating art is a way of life for me. I was a sculptor all throughout high school and college. Right before I graduated, I took a Photoshop class and I painted a digital painting. That prompted me to buy my first canvas and create my first painting. I’ve sewn skirts, done face painting, worked with ink, watercolor, digital, oil paint, and Prismacolor colored pencils. I guess that’s the long answer, but whatever interests me I’ll do without fear. I will find a way!
Anything wild and crazy that would raise eyebrows?
Jack Ingram bought a print of my “Mosaic Elephant” because it reminded him of his grandmother.
I went surfing for the first time ever at Bondi Beach in Australia and was pretty good at it!!! It was so much fun!”
What guidance would you offer to a budding or novice artist?
Create small goals for yourself. Have patience with the process. Pay attention. Don’t give up on yourself. Stay hungry!”
FIRST SATURDAY CORNER
Has attending the market impacted you and your art?
It definitely has been a great experience. Everything has ups and downs and a lot of learning involved. But, Mitch has given artists a great place to learn, share, and grow their art business!
Tell us one take away you’d like the public to know about the market.
It’s a great collective of different styles of art that are all done with quality in mind.
Have you experienced any inspiring sales or connection stories?
March of 2020, I had one of my largest and favorite commissions in the Mosaic Series! It was a giant tiger, and we all know I love to paint large. It was mesmerizing and an absolute blast to paint.
