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Palm Springs, Calif. —
Angelina Christina
Interview by Phillip Matthew Carrillo
Photography by Coachella Valley Original Photography & Julio Vazquez

I first heard of this amazing artist from a friend who’s family happen to own the 86 Meat & Liquor store where she made her mark in the Salton Sea and on me as well. When I heard she was in town and the moon and stars aligned, I took no time to hesitate. I caught up with the beautiful, talented and world famous muralist, but no stranger to the Coachella Valley — Angelina Christina. Located at Bar in Palm Springs, finishing up another sick piece of artwork with buddy Alex Pesante before she headed out to L.A to work with the Academy Of Motion Pictures, Arts, and Sciences.

Phillip Carrillo: Can you tell the Coachella Valley about yourself?

Christina Angelina (aka Angelina Christina): My names Christina Angelina , I’m an artist. I work mostly with spray paint. I grew up in Venice, Ca. I started painting when I was really young and never stopped. It became a professional thing around the age 16, I’m 32 now.

PC: How is it traveling around? Do you travel a lot?

AC: Traveling and painting is awesome, I love it. It’s the perfect life for me. I travel all the time. I’m constantly living out of my bag and going place to place painting murals.

PC: I first heard of you from the Salton Sea, can you tell the Coachella Valley about that?

AC: The Salton Sea mural was done with my friend Finbarr Notte (@FinDac), he was coming into town from London and we were planning on working together for several months all over the place. We were planning on going to Minneapolis and New York but we both really wanted to do some work in the desert. We’re both really drawn to doing stuff out in an open desert landscape. I found the location from a friend who travels with us as a photographer. When fin arrived in town we were ready. It took about 1 ½ week to finish, staying in Indio driving back and forth. We wanted to incorporate animals present in the area; rattlesnakes, bobcats, raccoons.

PC: Any artist influences?

AC: I’m influenced by artist working now and artist that worked hundreds of years ago. I have an extensive art history background. I’ve studied at UCLA as well as in Italy and Greece. I’m defiantly influenced and inspired by artist who worked hundreds and thousands of years ago and everyone working today.

PC: When did you first start painting in the Coachella Valley?

AC: I started painting out here….the Salton Sea was the first one! I’ve been traveling here as a kid. My parents have a house out in Lake Havasu, I’ve been coming to the desert my whole life. I’ve been doing small things out here my whole life But the Salton Sea was the first big thing out here, Which then led to Bar which led to everything else in the Coachella Valley.

PC: Why the Coachella Valley?

AC: I really like it, I think it has good energy. I like the people here, I like being here and working. Personally I like the feel of it here. I love sharing my work with the community. I feel all the parts of the Coachella Valley are different from each other: Indio, Slab City, Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs. I like the feel of each place.

PC: We heard you were going to be doing something big in Los Angeles, can you tell the Coachella Valley about that?

AC: I’m doing a mural for the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts, and Sciences. It’s going to be on the old May Company building on Fairfax and Wilshire. It’s a commission for them so it’s not like anything I’ve done before where I have 100 percent freedom but I basically have my freedom. I’m curious to see how it comes out, should be interesting. I have 5 days to do it starting tomorrow.

PC: Can you tell the Coachella Valley what you have been up to?

AC: I have been… since I did the mural at the Salton Sea last September I’ve traveled to New York, Florida, went to Art Basel in Miami, Denver, I’ve painted at Coachella Music and Arts Festival for the Do Lab, Boulder, Minneapolis, Brazil, a lot of work in Las Vegas as well, all over the place. I keep coming back here—I think I come back here more—I do more work out here then any other place.

PC: Any future projects we should keep our eyes open for?

AC: The thing for the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts, and Sciences. It looks like I’m going to Brazil at the end of October and Art Basel in Miami, Florida.

PC: Any shout-outs?

AC: I defiantly want to give a shout out to Finbarr Notte (@FinDac), It’s his birthday on the 27^th of September, he’s the one I collaborated with on the mural in front of Bar and Salton Sea which led us to the subsequent work out here, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” for all your hard work and awesomeness. Also big shout out to Alex Pesante (@easeonetx) who I worked with on the pieces in the back of bar and work at the Hacienda ,he’s awesome, I love working with him he’s brilliant, and shout out to Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.

PC: Any way to buy your art work, check out photos or keep updated with you?

AC: The best way to keep updated is my Instagram, @Starfightera or my Facebook. Updating my web site soon, I have a studio in Venice, also have stuff at Gallery 446 here in Palm Springs on Indian Canyon. As far as purchasing work, you could contact me direct or the studio. There isn’t a lot since most my work are murals.