Janet Cristenfeld's life has been both an artistic and a spiritual journey. After studying painting and photography at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, she moved to New York City and continued to make and exhibit art. Her work has focused on depicting the emotions, sensuality, and spirit of human beings, particularly through the imagery of women. In oil, watercolor or pencil, she creates portraits of imaginary people, inspired by her inner contemplation and the influence of the surrounding world. She explores one's relationship to oneself, to others, and to the Universe.
Janet has also depicted spiritual figures as an expression of consciousness. "My Christ series was inspired byJesus's message of love, forgiveness, and being true to your Divine Spirit. I see art as a visual manifestation of the soul. The colors I choose for a particular figure are very natural and real to me, and as color is energy, that energy is always expressing some state of being. I believe art heals by touching us and helping us communicate, and is a means of expanding our awareness."
Janet has exhibited in solo and group shows in the New York area, including the Parrish Museum in Southampton, NY, and in Washington, DC. In 1994, she received the Project Residencies Award from the Hillwood Art Museum, Brookville, NY, sponsored, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts. In addition to her art career, Janet is an intuitive energy healer and Reiki Master. She has channeled a set of spiritual symbols, with accompanying phrases, called Souligraphy™: Symbols of Prayer & Transformation. She combines them with energy healing in her workshops and private sessions and is creating jewelry, meditation cards, and an art book of the Symbols. For more information on Souligraphy™, visit www.souligraphy.com.
Quote from Audrey Regan, Audart Gallery and Art-Is-Life Magazine
"A master of technique, Janet Cristenfeld applies paint flawlessly as though it were skin and blends it meticulously, creating the illusion of inner light. Her figurative drawing is powerful but restrained. The simple curve of an eyelid, sweep of a hand or circular path of an embrace captures the emotion she is trying to convey. Janet also circumscribes her figures with a flat, wide, black line which draws the viewer back to the center of the work - to the source of the emotion."
