It is hard to explain how these pastel “wetscapes” came
into being. Rationales are better left to those who know the workings
of the mind. All I know is that for me, waves are as real as our 5 cats
and 28 chickens. They are just as free to roam — released from the confines
of the ocean, lake, puddle, and my very own mind. They're splashing like
kids jumping through a sprinkler on a hot summer day, playing a game
of chicken at the edge of Niagara Falls , or flying by me as I take my
rowing lesson on the Charles River in Cambridge . Wherever they are and
whatever they are doing, they seem to belong there.
Biography
Christine Wendel Farrugia was born in Teaneck New Jersey
. She spent her early life on the competitive ice skating circuit. As
the first of five children, she was encouraged by her parents to pursue
a more “stationary” interest upon the arrival of the third child. She
was given oil painting lessons for Christmas in 1966 and by 1970 she
was applying to art schools.
Christine graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design
in 1975 with a BFA in Illustration. She takes some of her inspiration
from Phillip Guston, which gave her “permission” to play with large scale
cartoons. The rest of her inspiration was provided by an averted boating
accident in the 70's. “Nothing like panic to evoke a sense of humor”.
Chris has been doing “waves” ever since.
She now lives with her husband and step daughter, landlocked
on a farm in Sterling Ct. But the waves still find her. The stream is
full of them.
Exhibitions
• October 2003: The Chelsea City , Chelsea MA
• March 2000: The Gallery at Newbury College , Brookline MA
• February 1995: The Blue Wave restaurant in Boston MA |
