By NVOS Cathryne Trachok
NVOS artist Kristi Rene is a self-taught and internationally recognized artist, spending her time painting and sculpting in the beautiful Napa Valley and throughout the world. She has shown in many international shows from Italy to Israel, been recommended by Margrit Mondavi as one of four artists to watch in the Napa Valley, and was awarded 1st place at the Chinciano International Art Fair, in Chinciano, Italy.
Her abstract paintings have a resonance about them that comes from the artist’s spiritual way of looking at her world. “My paintings are silent wings that let me fly, transmit life with canvas and color, never forgetting the source from which all beauty and wonder come," she says. "My work explores the inner dialogue between the human and spiritual.”
Locals have seen Kristi’s paintings and those of her husband, Edmund Grant, around the Napa Valley, and their fantastic studio space, known as Villa Spankadellik, is an experience unto itself. With 3800 square feet of art space, there is definitely an art gallery feel to it.
In 1989, she was in a terrible auto accident that forced the loss of her career in dentistry. In the aftermath of that tragedy, she experienced a profound spiritual transformation, and took to painting and sculpting. The end results are beautiful as well as emotional, filled with color and texture. It is always an experience viewing her artworks. Working as both a sculptor and a painter, Kristi is excellent in either venue. Her use of color, form, and edges give the viewer a whole menu of images to get lost in.
Come visit Kristi and her husband, Edmund Ian Grant at their beautiful Villa Spankadellik, Studio #34, at 2411 Soda Canyon Road, north of Napa, California. You can also get more information about Kristi, and see a preview of her work at her website, www.kristirene.com.
Cathryne Trachok works from, in, and around the Napa Valley, using her vision to create artworks celebrating the beautiful world we live in. You can meet her and see her work at Studio #4 during Open Studios, and you can see her work online at www.catrachokstudios.com.
