About the ARTIST
Born on the Banks
Welcome to the world of Christina Berger, the creative force behind Colorado River Art. As a Southwest Americana artist, Christina draws endless inspiration from the stunning Arizona desert and the flowing waters of the Colorado River. Her artistic journey spans decades of experimenting with different mediums, which ultimately led her to the joy of painting. For the past 12 years, Christina has poured her heart into creating distinctive, hand-made, and hand-painted pieces designed to bring the beauty of the Southwest into your home.
The Beginning
A Studio Without Walls
Colorado River Art began more than a decade ago. It started with handmade Arizona-shaped wood signs — some branded with a hot iron, some painted, but all originals.
From there, the business grew the way the best things do — by listening. Our customers would ask, "Do you make bigger signs?" So we would. They asked for smaller ones, we made those. They asked for ornaments — and I think you get the picture.
Now, after all these years, we've expanded into hand painting all types of objects, sublimation, engraving, and embroidery — and we use these mediums to create and upscale a wide range of products. Bookmarks, key chains, coasters, mouse pads, jewelry — all of it handmade. Just contact us if you're interested in a custom design.
The Process
How Each Piece Is Made
Gathered from the Land
We source the highest quality materials that we can offer to our customers at a great value. Much of the wood that we use would have ended up as firewood, but here at Colorado River Art we rescue, recondition, and beautify these beautiful pieces of trees.
Shaped by Hand
Every piece we create here is made by hand — that is our promise to you. Seriously, you should see our hands.
Finished with Intention
We use the highest quality products to protect your pieces and make them look amazing.
Sent with Care
Every order is packed by hand, with a note about the piece and the process. You're not getting a product — you're getting a piece of the river.
What We Believe
The Things That Matter
Slowness is a virtue
Good things take time. We don't rush the kiln, the loom, or the leather. The river didn't carve the canyon in a day.
Imperfection is honest
A perfectly uniform object was made by a machine. We make things by hand, and hands are imperfect. That's the whole point.
Place matters
Every piece is rooted in the Colorado River landscape — its colors, its textures, its scale. You can't separate the work from the land.