Christina Chalmers - Elegant Whimsy

S P I R I T  O F  A  S T U D I O

Photos by C. Whitney-Ward

Christina & Louie

Christina Chalmers is an alchemist. She turns dried sea-things, beeswax, metal, found objects, mesh - whatever catches her visual fancy -  into magical semi-abstract, wildly- wonderful  mixed-media. On top of all that,  she is  a painter, sculptor, photographer, and makes layered, lyrical videos. And, she and her talented rock-star daughters - CocoRosie - have performed at Carnegie Hall (Christina is a songwriter and singer).  Really!  A  long-time New Mexico resident, Christina  has  a wonderful studio/loft space filled with her work and her  eclectic aesthetic. 

A seahorse & a paintbrush...wonderful...

"Migration from the Sea"

Hand-sewn mixed media "chandelier"

And her latest work - "The Birds and the Bees" - is off to Santa Fe's Selby Fleetwood Gallery where no doubt it will be snapped up by an eager collector.

I couldn't resist snapping the  details...

Christina's first studio was in Santa Barbara. "I was so determined," she remembers, I simply manifested it. I went to the old mission, looked up and saw what I thought was an empty space, and approached one of the monks with a proposal to turn it into a studio." It happened! She began collecting stuff that she hauled out of the sea and other organic materials and her art evolved. In addition to her studio/loft in Santa Fe, Christina has a studio in Provence and another in Mendocino, CA.

She collects French beeswax and honeycombs. 

Her technique of using wax and layering and embedding have evolved over the years and after you've taken in the whole, you can stand in front of one of her creations  and 'drink' in all the diminutive details and playful inclusions and nuances. Each time you return, your eye finds something new. 

"My work routine is constant," says Christina, who says that she doesn't go anywhere that doesn't inspire her.  "I've made my art my life. You have to be 200% committed to it. That's when you see your soul emerge into your art."

CHRISTINE CHALMERS

SELBY FLEETWOOD GALLERY

600 Canyon Road

Santa Fe, NM

505.992.8877

Chasing Santa Fe Post on Selby Fleetwood Gallery

CLICK HERE TO GO TO NEWEST POSTS...

'O 'Eating House - O MY!

Just a hop skip & a jump up the road from Santa Fe, along 84/285 in Pojoaque, is this gem of an Italian restaurant. It's changed hands a bit in the last

 few years, but is now owned by Executive Chef Steven Lemon,

who moved on from Pranzo in Santa Fe.

Photos by C. Whitney-Ward

I ate there last week with a friend and it was sensational. Everything was beautifully plated, beautifully prepared and delicious. I could describe the nuances of each dish, but instead I'll show you what we devoured.

The house-made focaccia was lovely...with lemon & rosemary.

How do I describe biting into one of these plump, ricotta and sweet corn

stuffed squash blossoms? Perfect. Then there was the

 cherry & mustard oil compote on the side that was brilliant.

Ah the buratta. Stuffed house-made mozzarella - luscious and spreadable on a simple buttered & grilled disk of bread. I wanted another plate full. It was that good.

Next came the...

Arugula watermelon Salad.

Beet Risotto.

Pan-seared rib eye.

Pan-seared rainbow trout w/ coucous

And, for dessert? Parmesan truffle French fries. 

Well, it was as good as any dessert.

Wonderful ambiance too.

Simple, Fresh & Local.

 Open for lunch & dinner.

'O EATING HOUSE

Owner/Executive Chef, Steven Lemon

GM, David V. Marquez

86 Cities of Gold Rd.

Santa Fe, NM

505.455.2000