I grew up in Italy, Florence where I studied art. After further studies in Birmingham and 30 years in various fields of architecture in the UK I took a Masters in the conservation of historic buildings at Bath University. I now work as a conservation architect in the Midlands.

My art practice is primarily concerned with man-made landscapes; industrial landscapes reclaimed by nature where it is it is still possible to imagine industry sometimes within landscapes that are vast and dramatic.

My paintings begin outside where I make quick sketches of these places to capture the memory and fleeting sensations they give me. After, I process and explore this narrative in the studio where paintings emerge slowly, adding my own reality to the scenes I observed. These times and reinventions aim to give restitution to the ordinary scenes I depict and offer ambiguity which I hope the viewers can consider and resolve themselves.

Although I sketch in charcoals, inks and pastels I mostly paint in oils on aluminium, gesso boards or canvas because I love the process and how the different materials react.

I also print mainly monotprints but also collagraphs and reduction linocuts which I find compelling toward on.

Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/mcristinagardiner