Inside the Studio
Cristina Borsatti
Favorite material to work with?
I generally paint on canvas with acrylic colours, pastels, and pencils.
What themes do you pursue?
My work is basically led by the way I feel at the moment of painting. There is not a defined theme as I start; it develops as I draw lines and colours on the canvas. In a second moment, I define spaces and the colour palette: the dialogue between these two elements thus generates details and gives a shape to an as yet undefined concept.
How many years as an artist?
I’ve been painting since I got my first watercolour set.
Process> Concept or Process<Concept?
I think there is no general rule, it depends on each situation… However, I’d say they’re intertwined.
Sketchbook?
I generally use large brown paper sheets rather than a real sketchbook. Sitting in front of them I draw lines and signs, without defining details. It’s become a very important praxis to me, regardless of the result, as it works as a training for my hand and mind.
Where is your studio?
At home, I turned a room into my studio.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
I’m actually still looking for a good advisor!
What’s around the corner from your place?
Wheat fields.
A piece of art you love?
“The Madonna of the Lilies” by William-Adolphe Bouguereau.
Favorite place to “get away”?
On a mountain, walking on meadows or through autumn woods.
Prefer to work with music or in silence?
Definitely I’m a silent painter.
Where can we find you outside the studio?
Out for a walk with my sweet doggie.
Favorite contemporary artist?
Cy Twombly. I utterly love his natural approach to abstraction.
What could you not do without?
You can do without anything, the essential is being prepared.
If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?
Any of Monet’s paintings.
Why do you make art?
To open a dialogue with myself.
What do you collect?
I collect stones and pebbles. My top item is a piece of granite from Everest’s base camp.
Which living or dead artist would you most like to meet?
Joan Mitchell.
Food or Sleep?
Much food, little sleep.
Astrology or Astronomy?
Astronomy, with a special crush on asteroids (huge stones!).
Traditional or Conceptual?
Both! The essential is to reach one’s goal, if there is one.
