About Cris Villa

I am a Spanish artist based in Summit, New Jersey. My original paintings bring the wonder, beauty, and quiet movement of the natural world into the home.

Inspired by a childhood spent exploring the landscapes and coastline of Mallorca, I create airy watercolor paintings of ocean and marine life, featuring seaweed, shells, fish, crabs, and other sea creatures. My work combines close observation of nature with a playful, folk-inspired sensibility, creating artwork that feels both collected and connected to the natural world.

I also create abstract paintings inspired by the movement of the sea, translating the rhythm of ocean currents, shifting water, and coastal landscapes into loose, atmospheric compositions.

A lifelong naturalist and conservationist, I begin my work by observing the plants and animals around me. Growing up in Mallorca, I was fortunate to spend my childhood surrounded by nature and to care for an ever-changing collection of pets, from crabs and snails to dogs, cats, and hedgehogs. These early encounters continue to appear throughout my work.

Today, I make original watercolor and abstract paintings inspired by the ocean, marine animals, shells, seaweed, and the wider natural world. Through my art, I hope to bring a sense of curiosity, beauty, and connection to nature into the spaces where people live.

My work is for those who love art, animals, and the outdoors, and who want to bring the feeling of being in nature into their homes.