Christina Goodman

Christina was born in Italy to American parents. She received a BFA from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1985. After college, she learned decorative painting & gilding in NYC. She now lives in the SF Bay area.

Christina’s artwork includes jewelry and miniature paintings. Some are 1:12 scale dollhouse paintings, inspired by historical masterpieces. The pieces are painted under magnification, using a variety of very small brushes. She mostly paints in acrylic and ink on wood panel, sometimes gilding with 22k gold leaf, gouache and watercolor.

The inspiration comes from Renaissance painting, decorative art, illumination and Indo-Persian miniature painting. She is drawn to details in nature and art, placing these little “gems” as focal points in her jewelry. The goal is to achieve the finest detail and most delicate brushstroke she can. Working very slowly and with great care is what she enjoys most. 

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in art from the University of California, Santa Cruz, Christina studied fashion design at Parsons School of Design in NYC. While there, she learned sign lettering, decorative painting and gilding. The painted jewelry business came about in the 1990’s, merging her love of miniatures, gilding, fashion and Renaissance painting. In 2020, she began studying illumination and Indo-Persian miniature painting techniques. 

Starting 1993, Christina exhibited her work at fine craft shows, miniature shows and in shops and galleries (see below.) Her work is now available and on permanent display at ART on FIRST, and other Galleries in the U.S.

Education:

1985 BFA University of California, Santa Cruz 

1990 Parsons School of Design, New York, Fashion Design
 

More Recent Fine Craft Shows:

American Craft Council Pop-up Online Marketplace, 2022, 2023

Smithsonian Craft Show, Washington, DC 2014 - 2018

Smithsonian Craft2Wear 2016 - 2019

Smithsonian Craft Optimism 2021

American Craft Council Show, Baltimore 2010 - 2019

American Craft Council Show, San Francisco 2010 - 2019

Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show 2011, 2013, 2021  

American Craft Exposition, Evanston, IL 2009, 2012, 2015  

Solo Shows:

2003 Jewelry Showcase, Bellagio, Asheville
2001 Inner Landscapes, Susan Cummins Gallery, Mill Valley
2000 Pictorial Jewelry, Sybaris Gallery, Royal Oak, MI
1999 Left Bank Gallery, Wellfleet, MA 

Group Shows:

2017 Miniature Masterworks, Toy and Miniature Museum, Kansas City
2014 Small Scale, Big Ideas, Jane Sauer Gallery, Santa Fe
2014 True to Nature, River Gallery, Chattanooga
2011 Specimens, Baldwin Wallace College, Berea, OH
2010 Juju Magic, Facere Gallery, Seattle
2008 The Pendant Show, Velvet da Vinci, San Francisco
2007 Art Jewelry Invitational, Cervini Haas Gallery, Scottsdale
2007 No Small Feat, River Gallery, Chattanooga  

2005 Natural Views, River Gallery, Chattanooga
2005 Nature Cherished, John Michael Koehler Arts Center, Sheboygan
2003 Small Perspectives, River Gallery, Chattanooga
1999 Shadow of Memory, Susan Cummins Gallery, Mill Valley
1998 The New Renaissance, Gayle Wilson Gallery, Southampton
1997 Small Works, Susan Cummins Gallery, Mill Valley, CA  
1996 Winter Light, Susan Cummins Gallery, Mill Valley, CA  

Awards:

Best in Show, Smithsonian Craft Show 2015  

Award of Excellence, Bellevue Art Museum Artsfair 2013

Excellence Award, American Craft Exposition 2006

Best New Artist, American Craft Exposition 2002

Collections:

KSB Miniatures Collection, Kentucky Gateway Museum

Ham House, 2016, private collection, Mulvany & Rogers

Publications: 

Lover’s Eyes, Elle Shushan, Giles Ltd. 2021

Craft Council show features charms for Charm City, Baltimore Sun, February 2014

Narrative illusion: Jewelry from painting, Metalsmith, Spring 2012

2011 IGMA Show, Miniature Collector, January 2012

Sheds in miniature, Debra Prinzing, November 2010

DesignCraft Heroine, Handful of Salt, October 2010

There's art in their crafts, Oakland Tribune, August 7, 2010

A.Word.A.Day, Wordsmith.org, March 2009

Ври Больше, Architectural Digest Russia, June 2008

Intimate Art, Vermont's Independent Voice, June 2008

500 Pendants & Lockets, Lark Books, New York, 2008

Art Across The Bay, Diablo Magazine, August 2007

Lapidary Journal, September 2006

Artist's Workshop: Renaissance Woman, Home Companion, October-November 2005

Where & When, Washingtonian, April 2003

Jewelry in the Realm of Art, Washington Post, April 24, 2001

American Craft, August-September 2000

Christina Goodman: A Wearable Art, by Chiori Santiago, Ornament, Summer 1999

Enterprising Women, Victoria Magazine, August 1998