Rising Stars: Meet Christin Pimentel of Phoenix/Tempe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christin Pimentel

Hi Christin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am an Arizona native, born & raised. I have always been a creative individual drawn to coloring and creating since I was little. In middle school I remember sketching portraits of music artists, drawing with marker and pencil, and painting when I could. It wasn’t until late college that I started to dabble more in painting. I started with detailed projects like painting a cooler for my boyfriend or creating Halloween costumes and holiday decorations. Things that would help me wind down from those long study days. At this point in my life, I had no thoughts or dreams about becoming an artist. I loved these side projects and DIY crafts but I didn’t have the space or money to really put time into a specialty. I was focused on school and finding a career. Something that was so daunting to me because I had no idea what I really wanted to do. After graduating college in 2018 I got the typical 9-5 job in sales, then moved to training & development, and now I am currently a shipping manager for a material handling company. All great and meaningful jobs, but none are deeply meaningful like painting has become for me. When I was about 26 I started to journey beyond the bounds that were created for me. I didn’t have to live a boring desk job, or corporate life forever, there were other opportunities out there. In 2022, I spent most of my extra time planning and creating for my November wedding, and, as crazy as it sounds, I loved the tedious, trial-and-error process of being a DIY bride. Once the wedding was over I was craving for something to fill all that free time with and naturally I started painting! I set up shop in my dining area at the time and just went to town with the little space I had. I had amazing ideas but had no idea what style I was or liked best. Throughout 2023, I was slowly developing and learning and creating. My paintings were certainly different, they were structured, mesmerizing, tedious, beautiful, etc. But I still wasn’t sure where I was headed. In late 2023, I received a late diagnosis of ADHD and clear signs of CPTSD. This diagnosis came from further exploration of my mental health and my desire to grow and heal. I quickly realized this geometric style I’ve been developing is the structure that my brain needs. It’s become such a huge tool for my mental health journey and has brought me great comfort and happiness. After letting the diagnosis settle in, I started to feel and see my potential as an artist. My friends and family have always been so supportive of me and many would encourage me to sell my paintings and in March of 2024 I created my LLC and started my small business journey. Since then, I have been commissioned several times, sold a few paintings, attended my first art show in July, and now have a solo exhibit at The Madison Center for the Arts! Im not sure whats in store for me in the future but Im very eager to find out!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced along the way has been my self-esteem. As ironic as it is my art has helped me heal in the most beautiful ways but I can’t seem to fully accept that my creations are worthy of sharing with the world. Don’t get me wrong I am over the moon that people love my artwork and it’s so motivating to keep creating. I think a lot of artists struggle with feeling fully satisfied with their final pieces. But I can tell that’s slowly shifting as more opportunities float my way. Overall this journey has been as smooth as can be! I’ve grown at a pace that’s manageable for my free time when I’m not at my day job but I absolutely hope that can change someday!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My full-time job is as a sales coordinator/shipping manager for a material handling company in South Phoenix. I’ve been there for almost two years and I enjoy what I do! Every day is different. I am pretty much the pivot point for the entire office. I process orders, schedule shipments, do a bit of project management, and more. I landed in this position because, to put it simply, it was a stable job at a smaller company. My previous jobs were in training and development for much larger corporations and I unfortunately was a part of budget-cut layoffs for a couple of companies. While I loved being a part of that training and development atmosphere, I needed a job that would provide stability. So, here I am working in a small office environment for the ever-so-important and always-changing material handling industry! The main thing that would set me apart from others is that I am a younger female in a male-dominated world. But as a woman who was raised in a mostly male-dominated Italian family, it’s been nothing I can’t handle.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Phoenix is incredible and always has so much to offer. I think the best part is how much one can immerse themselves in the surrounding culture. From cultural events to the surrounding landscapes and more. The worst thing is self-explanatory. The heat. If just the July & August forecast would drop about 20 degrees that would make Phoenix an even better place to live year-round.

Pricing:

• Pricing varies
• Canvas paintings range from about $100-$800
• Canvas paper paintings range from $30-150
• Commission paintings require a deposit and final pricing varies depending on size and complexity of the commission

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pimentelpaintings.com
• Instagram: @pimentelpaintings
• Facebook: @pimentelpaintings
• Other: TikTok – @pimentelpaintings