Cristina Perneta was born on Madeira Island in 1979. Where she lives and works on her studio as a full-time artist. She has graduated in Fine Arts at the University of Madeira. Her main subjects are ecology, spirituality, and the relationship between humanity and the natural world.
       Living very close to nature, especially a native forest, the Laurel Forest that survived the last glaciation, she developed a strong heart connection with the land and trees. These memories from a young age are what drives her to create her wild landscapes. She teaches art classes for people that want to reconnect and expand this contact.
       A few years ago, she chose to create her paintings by hand with earth pigments, seeking for a new meaning. A slow process, of painting nature with nature itself. Studying, and researching the techniques and methods of our ancestors from thousands of years ago, and mostly the old masters of Renaissance. Incorporating in her paintings the natural pigments, like clays, and iron oxides, that she currently finds on his island and from around the world, from sustainable sources.
       Her paintings have been featured in several solo and group exhibitions, in Portugal and internationally. She has received some painting awards and was an ARC finalist in the landscape category. Cristina’s work is represented by private and public collections.

* This statement has been provided directly by the artist in association to their 15^th International ARC Salon entries. This content has not been edited for typos or grammatical errors and has not been vetted for accuracy.