Meet CRIDAIGLE (Christine Daigle) | Artist – The vital interconnection of colors

We had the good fortune of connecting with CRIDAIGLE (Christine Daigle) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi CRIDAIGLE, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?

It seems as though my artistic career chose me and not the other way around. I remember my first visit to São Paulo Brazil during a business trip. From the very moment I stepped out of that airport, I was speechless and remember feeling in awe in front of the gigantic green leaves on those Amazonian trees/plants. That green color I was witnessing before my eyes reconnected me to an element of my childhood; In hindsight, that moment subconsciously awoke all the colors, patterns and lines my mind had been simmering unconsciously in my brain throughout the years

Shortly after my stay in Brazil, I flew back to Barcelona Spain (where I was based at the time) and on that Saturday morning, I suddenly had the courage to go visit the art store at the corner of where I was living. I was apprehensive thinking I’d probably be treated like an idiot for my limited knowledge in art, but on the contrary, the man working there was very kind and helped me buy the right material so that I could make my very first painting. Nine months later, that same man proudly added my invitation cards next to his cash register on his store counter, spreading the word for my very first exhibition in Barcelona. That exhibit opening has been etched in my brain ever since, such joy, a revealing moment in my life for sure. So in other words, I think the way it happened to me, coming from a scientific & medical career, was a process; like a process within you that develops until something happens and ignites it.
I don’t think we ‘become’ an artist, rather we choose to accept to express our creativity. I discovered a wonderful thing with creativity; there is no “right” or “wrong”. It’s an extension of who I am, what’s important to me, and more importantly, which messages I want to communicate to society. The truth is, I never ever thought I would paint, it was never in my career plan as a science and medical professional. Somehow this happened and came as a necessity, a new means of expression. When I’m mixing colors in my studio, I feel fullness & bliss. It also brings me so much joy to hear from people when they contact me on my social media, saying how my art makes them feel good, or when they send me photos of the landscapes they see and tell me “this looks like your paintings!”.
It’s important for me to render my vision of what I see and feel in this world through my paintings. As an artist, I feel an important sense of responsibility towards society through my art. If it impacts even just one person, I feel that my work was is worth doing. Last year, someone posted a message in on my social media saying “you make us want to continue in life”. If that’s not huge, I don’t know what is. Having a sense of purpose and a positive impact on society is very important to me, in everything I do actually, . I also enjoy giving forward by helping other artists of all ages to believe in themselves. When I am asked to give conference presentations to various groups either locally or internationally, I am always happy to accept and to use my voice to mentor and have a positive impact on people. Creativity in all its forms and in every field is so needed and essential in this world! I also love that art has no borders and enables us to reach people beyond all the languages and cultural barriers of the world.
I wish to people realize that everything is possible in life.

By the way, my artist name CRIDAIGLE is a fusion of my real name, Christine Daigle (CRI is my nickname).

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

My artistic approach is based on my experiences, vision, imagination and the colors that inhabit me; it’s an amalgam of my learnings during my scientific & medical careers (Biology, Environnement, Medical) as well as my life experiences, both locally and internationally. My works bring calmness, serenity, infinite possibilities, optimism, peace & hope. My art has no borders and enables me to express myself in a ‘language’ that goes beyond all the languages of the world. I am a ‘humanist’ and my process is universal.

I believe in the powerful effect of specific colors on our physical and mental health while raising awareness on the themes of “living”, the symbiosis of the conventional with the unconventional as well as the direct link between the environment and our health. I have this fascination for specific colours and I incorporate them with coast lines and forests seen through a “window” of opportunity of change. My current artwork is intended as a vehicle to raise public awareness of the precariousness, fragility and primordial importance of the presence of trees/forests, the air that we breathe and the impact of colours on our health. We too often take trees/forests for granted. They offer us – all living beings – so much: protection, shelter, strength, air, oxygen, shade during warm days. The origin of my forest series – forests seen from a window, often in motion – took a completely different turn during a few months’ stay in Portugal. It was in 2016 when many forest fires were raging across the country. During a lunch in Lisbon, I had a memorable conversation with an architect sitting next to me who shared with me his experience being part of the team to reconstruct a village in the north of the country where everything, including its inhabitants, were burnt. I therefore decided to title my forest artworks in Portuguese in hommage to their people. This terrible phenomenon of forest fires is applicable to all the regions/countries facing this problem; California, Brazil, Portugal, many other countries and last summer, fires ravaged Canadian forests like never before. Not only destroying a staggering 45 million acres of land/forests/wildlife but also seriously impacting the air that we breathe. The very poor air quality that resulted from this in each province as well as south of the border to NYC had an impact on all living beings. The word “apocalyptic” has become reality. There is an urgent need to raise public awareness. In my forests series, my message of “Cuidado” or “Careful” with the fluorescent horizontal line tells us the urgency to take care of our forests, our ‘lungs’. Given the significant deforestation going on in so many parts of the world and the increasing number of forest fires having serious impacts on our air quality, I feel that as an artist, I must use my voice to spread public awareness on different important causes.

I had the opportunity to show my art at local and international exhibits in solo and group exhibitions in New York City & Los Angeles (US), Barcelona (Spain), Montreal, Moncton, Shediac & Grand-Barachois (Canada) and had the chance to have some of my art published in media articles, books and art E-book (Spain and Canada). My collectors are from Nantucket (US), London (UK), Montevideo (Uruguay), Barcelona (Spain), Montreal & Moncton (Canada) and I am very thankful to them for their ongoing presence and support. In 2022, I had the honor to have one of my paintings auctioned for at a charity event held at the prestigious Victoria and Albert museum in London UK. Also, I am honored to be recognized as a professional artist with the Canada Council for the Arts, AAAPNB/NBPAA, ArtsNB, CARFAC Maritimes and am proud to be part of these groups & associations.

I’m proud to witness people’s reactions to my art. Many people from different countries regularly message me in my social media about their lives, telling me how my art brings them calmness, serenity, good energy/vibes, and also sending me photos of coastlines and forests they see, reminding them of my art. To me, this is a sign my message is getting across. My current and future works will always have a societal message with the aim to make this world a better place. Humanity and being connected to others who feel and/or understand my art is such a gift.

This year, I wish to collaborate with other artists locally and internationally and I’m very much looking forward to my upcoming solo exhibitions.

The key is simple yet not easy to do: always keep going! Interestingly, it’s when I “let go” that my art comes out. My life experiences have led me to believe in myself and thanks to this – and listening to good music of course – I express my own vision in my art. The process is to trust myself in what I do. Being in the flow, walking a lot, feeling loved – yes, feeling loved – makes me more productive. It certainly was a huge challenge during the pandemic with social isolation but I learned a lot about relying on myself, somehow, even during the most trying moments of my life.

I kept going by being present, listening, feeling and facing the challenges and my fears head on, overcoming my imposter syndrome, overcoming lack of external support, I just kept going even during complete stagnation and stillness. I kept believing!

We don’t realize this but it’s in the little gestures that wonders happen. A small simple action can have such a positive impact in someone’s life as we never know what the other person is going through. Words of encouragement gave me fuel to continue. Being supported by other artists, feeling a sense of belonging, feeling understood are all blessings which helped me and make me continue creating.

I believe that when I’m creating from my guts and heart, my art is immune. Immune to anything negative. My art is an extension of my person and nothing or nobody can ever take that away. My process what not easy in the beginning nor these past few years when life challenges sky-rocketed. The social isolation due to the pandemic made these mountains even more laborious to conquer. I kept my head above water and kept believing in myself, it’s the only way.

As an artist, I have a responsibility toward our society to render a message, a responsibility to have a positive impact on people. Nothing is easy in life. It’s all about listening to our inner voice, being in our alignment and doing what brings us good energy.

Sometimes you can’t fight it, but you need to face it. In the most difficult times, focus on the essentials; breathe, eat, walk and repeat each day. Stand tall, pause, reflect, journal, talk to your true friends, be proud of who you are no matter what anyone says, put on your protective “repellent”, get help to cope with those external factors halting your life, do the very best you can every day. And guess what, it’s super important not to quit because one day, the coast becomes clear again.

If life throws you major curve balls, listen to your feelings, embrace them and meditate. Guided meditation got me through the toughest times in 2021 in 2022 and is now part of my life. If ever you need to stop, stop. But stay connected to your true people, your tribe. Feeling heard and understood is vital for everyone.

My work is about endless possibilities, peace, hope, love and respect towards each other and towards our environment. Humanity, colors, forests, air and coastlines are vitally interconnected.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Eastern Canada’s Atlantic provinces are worth a visit especially in the summer months. Raw nature at its best, beautiful wonderful coastlines and the fresh air is so great! Each Atlantic province is unique in its own way; highest and longest tides in the world, the Confederation bridge (almost 13 km’s long) linking New Brunswick (NB) to Prince Edward Island (PEI), the beaches, the wonderful Kouchibouguac, Fundy, Gros-Morne, Kejimkujik national parks just to name a few. A visit to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton (NB) is definitely worth a visit! There are many villages throughout the Maritimes that are unique and wonderful.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

It’s all about the people! I had the chance to cross some very special people along the way and thankfully, I still do! My great aunt Irene was very unique and the very first person who initiated me to coloring when I was 6 years old. She and my uncle lived far away and I rarely saw them but I remember that afternoon very clearly in their kitchen, her smiling at me, handing me the brushes and paint. Expressing my creativity happened much later in my life thanks to Lorena Rienzi from Barcelona, Spain. Through her professional guidance and approach, she helped me surpass the fear I had to express my own creativity (like I didn’t have the right to do so somehow), to move aside my inner critic through personal work, back in 2012. I also thank curators Lola Gispert Del Castillo and Pilar Zaragoza de Pedro for my very first exhibition at their gallery in Gracia; a moment etched in my brain ever since, which paved the way to my following exhibitions.
Thanks to my family. The person who believed in me the most was my father, my pilar and biggest supporter, always encouraging me to follow my heart and inner voice. He was fascinated that I could create a painting from my very own vision of things and was very proud. He always showed up. He unfortunately passed away from a terrible sudden illness in 2022. I and many miss him dearly.
A special thanks to my close friends and artist colleagues from around the world. We share, discuss, help each other out and I immensely appreciate those who have and still support me even during the toughest of times. A huge thanks to my collectors from here and abroad for their support, encouragement, for regularly staying in touch and for following my work wherever I am on this planet. Thank you to the galleries who are representing me and my artworks through their windows of visibility to the public. All mean the world to me with their support especially during these last few years and continue to have a huge impact in my life, in my work. Thank you to the groups & associations for bringing me on board as a professional artist, not only do they bring tremendous support but also a sense of belonging which I think is crucial.

Website: www.cridaigle.art

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cridaigle.art/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cridaigle/