I am so honored to have been selected to be featured in AQ’s Celebration of Women Artists in Contemporary Art.

This book is a curated collection of artwork that represents the diversity and innovation of contemporary art by women and non-binary artists.

I am thrilled to celebrate the remarkable creativity and artistic contributions of all of the selected artists.

I am so proud to be part of this legacy!

But A little side note…

Oftentimes, we see people's recognitions being highlighted, but we don't see the hidden struggles they endured along the way.

The let downs, the failures, the disappointments, the mistakes – they are all part of the journey as well.

My friends, it took me many long (and sometimes painful) years to get here.

So as much as I am excited about this honor, I see all the past versions of me that kept going despite the challenges, and I am most proud of her.

So the moral of the story is — never stop dreaming.

Read the full interview below:

Christina Contaldi, Artist

Christina Contaldi is an American artist based in New Jersey. Born to an artist mother and a lawyer father, she was gifted with a healthy balance of right-brain creativity and left-brain logic. However, it took her half a lifetime to get these seemingly opposing parts to work harmoniously together instead of wrestling against each other. Christina majored in Visual Arts at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, graduating in 2003. From there, she began a career in Graphic Design, during which she worked as a Senior Designer for a leading global law firm at their NYC headquarters for nearly a decade. Deciding the corporate world was not for her, she slowly transitioned out, taking a job as an Art Director at a small tech start-up until she left altogether to return to her roots as a painter.

Christina describes herself as multi-passionate, which is reflected in her work. The simplicity and complexity of nature inspire her. She integrates themes like environment, internal worlds, memories, emotions, and spirituality into her art. She has met many iterations of herself and is always evolving, as is her explorative creative expression.

What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you decide to commit to this path?

My mom is an artist, so I grew up surrounded by art supplies, and with an appreciation for artmaking. The arts were celebrated and made a priority in our household. Living near New York City, we frequently explored museums, attended Broadway shows, and traveled in order to experience diverse artistic cultures. I am grateful for the nurturing environment I had growing up, which allowed me to embrace and develop my creative potential.

After art school, I wanted a well-paying job and security, so I shifted my concentration from painting to graphic design. I worked as a Graphic Designer and Art Director for 15 years. Along the way, I fell in love with color theory, layout, composition, and branding. But the corporate life felt distant to me—I couldn't shake the feeling that I was losing my connection to myself, my vision, and my dreams. I eventually left the corporate world to return to my roots of painting and began working with my hands again, instead of a computer. That time was not wasted though; you will notice there are a lot of elements of graphic design reflected in my current painting style.

It’s very simple why I am now deeply committed to this path: if I am not creating personal art, I feel depressed. I finally understand that being an artist is who I am at the core, and I cannot live without creating from my heart.

I don’t think I am special though; creativity is a fundamental human state. We’ve seen it documented since the beginning of time—through song, storytelling, dance, hieroglyphics, building and architecture, and more. When given the freedom to express themselves, humans instinctively create using their bodies, minds, voices, and materials. Being creative is natural, healing, and makes people feel alive.

In raising my children, I've seen firsthand that children are natural-born creative geniuses, and we have a lot to learn from them. The way they play and explore in the present moment without any pressures or goals can remind us of our own inner artist. Unfortunately, the act of “growing up” tends to shut down parts of the creative process, with insecurities, stress, responsibilities, and pressure to focus on the “end result.” I had all of this happen to me. It was my children who “reminded” me to be an artist again, in my second phase of life. They are my greatest teachers.

Could you share the story or concept behind your recent work?

As a child, nature was a constant presence in my life. It was simply a part of my everyday existence, something I didn’t have to think much about because most of what I did was outside. When I grew older, my lifestyle shifted to mostly indoors. Working as a Graphic Designer and Art Director after college, I spent long hours in an office building, on my computer, under fluorescent lighting.

I began to feel a profound disconnection and sadness. It became clear that I needed to reconnect with nature to regain my sense of grounding. I felt drawn to spend more time outdoors, and in doing so, I rediscovered the deep, healing connection I once had with nature—it felt like coming home to myself.

The fresh air, the natural elements, the green open spaces—all of these evoked a sense of peace that I wanted to capture and share. This inspiration led me to create a body of work that reflects the profound connection and grounding that nature provides.

The Earth Collection is a tribute to nature’s beauty and significance. Its purpose is to bring the tranquility of the outdoors into the home. I wanted this collection to serve as a reminder of nature’s healing power, to celebrate its cycles, beauty, and purpose. It’s a call to reconnect with the natural world and integrate its calming influence into our daily lives, reminding us to appreciate and embrace the life-giving essence that nature offers.

What was the most challenging part of your path so far? How are you navigating this obstacle?

Every day presents new challenges as I continue to grow and evolve. However, the most significant struggle for me has been navigating my inner landscape—what's happening within myself.

I’ve had to confront my insecurities, and the internal dialogues that hold me back. Perfectionism, self-doubt, procrastination, and a harsh inner critic used to keep me stuck. Over time, I’ve learned to recognize these voices and understand their intentions. They mean well, seeking to keep me safe, but their protective measures often prevent me from fully expressing myself.

The goal is not to eliminate these parts of myself, just to loosen their grip so they are not strangling me into inaction. I’ve focused on embracing my most authentic voice and unique perspective, learning to accept them as “enough.” Letting go of the pursuit of perfection has been liberating, allowing me to present my art in its raw and genuine form.

What role does experimentation and exploration play in your artistic practice?

Experimentation plays a huge role in my artistic practice. In fact, there are days that I don’t even feel like an artist; I fancy myself some sort of scientist in a lab, creating experiments. I’m constantly asking myself, “What would happen if I do this?” or “Hmm... what if I try that?” This playful curiosity is so important in my process. I always want to be trying new things and pushing my own limits.

There are times in the studio that I’ll get an exciting impulse to try something new—like an interesting mark, pop of color, or different medium. But almost immediately, my inner critic will jump in and shut it down, with the fear that I will “ruin” the painting. Sometimes, it’s true—I’ve had many failed experiments! But sometimes it works like a charm, and I am pleasantly surprised. You see, I’ve learned over time... you have to be willing to fail in order to win.

To further satisfy this urge to “experiment,” I typically work on multiple paintings at the same time. Having only one canvas feels way too precious to me; there’s too much pressure to get it “right.” I need options! This way, I can move around the room and allow the experimentation to jump around to different pieces as needed, or as appropriate. For instance, if I’m feeling the urge to try something a little bit more rebellious, I can do it on the piece that I think needs some oomph. Alternatively, if I’m craving more peace or structure, I can get a bit more strategic and move to the piece that I think needs simplicity or organization.

If I ever feel like I’m “not allowed” to do something, I start to feel like a trapped animal being pinned down. Even if the entrapment is coming from my own mind! So it’s very important for me to give myself permission to play and have the creative freedom to switch things up and constantly evolve.

Do you have any start or stop rituals before creating?

It’s not a lack of inspiration, but a lack of time and organization that I need to prioritize. I am a mom with a busy life, plus my ADD-like tendencies leave me easily distracted. So I have to carve out stretches of uninterrupted time in the studio to properly get in the flow and work.

This means saying “no” to a lot of other things in order to say “yes” to my artmaking and blocking it out on the calendar. It also means shutting the studio door, turning off phone notifications, and allowing myself to focus simply on creating. I used to feel guilty about needing long lengths of time alone to create, but now I know it is my purpose on this planet, so it is my duty to honor it.

I have to keep my space organized and minimize basic obstacles in the studio to support the flow of my creative process. This way, when I am ready to paint, I am set up for success. I’m stocked with canvases, the paints are where they need to be, and my brushes are clean.

This means keeping track of supplies and cleaning up properly after each session, which is a struggle because I am the stereotypical artist that is messy, full of chaos, and doesn’t like to complete tasks or wash my brushes.

But I know that if I don’t have a clean brush, can’t find my water cup, or don’t have the right paint, I also have this tendency to be like, “Oh, this is too hard, I can’t deal with all this right now!” And I will want to give up. I’m at a stage of my life where I know myself very well. I know what my habits and pitfalls are, and I work with them.

So as long as I’ve carved out the time, the creative flow arises from working. I’ll turn on some music (or sometimes work in silence), start mixing paint, moving my body, loosening up, and that momentum opens up the channel for all the juicy inspiration that has been lying dormant to start pouring through.

What message do you hope your art conveys to the world?

Life is inherently stressful, and there’s so much beyond our control. As someone deeply sensitive, I understand the importance of surrounding oneself with people and things that foster well-being. I believe we can unknowingly absorb the energies around us, and it can influence our nervous system, both positively and negatively.

Have you ever noticed how your body reacts when you're around someone who is angry? You might feel tense, uncomfortable, and on edge. On the contrary, think about the serenity you experience while walking through a quiet, blooming garden. You likely feel more at ease, secure, and relaxed.

It is my hope that my art carries with it an energy of acceptance and peace that puts people at ease. I want my work to foster environments where individuals can unwind, let their guard down, and recharge. I believe when people feel safe in nurturing spaces, there’s an opportunity to open one’s heart, connect with oneself and others, appreciate beauty, and heal.

Share a mantra or favorite quote that keeps you going.

“Whatever is in the way, is the way.”

Feature: AQ’s Celebration of Women Artists in Contemporary Art