Despina Konstantinides, a first generation Greek-American painter, has been painting since she was eight years old. Her work is part of numerous collections including the permanent collection of the Consulate of Greece in NY and the AIG corporate art collection. Despina’s paintings were featured on HBO’s hit show Divorce.

It all began with my lack of skill in figure-skating. Despite my best efforts, I never quite got the hang of it. That's why my ice-skating instructor suggested that I try something different, something that wasn't as physically demanding. Perhaps, I would find a better fit with art. And thus, my journey with painting began.

In 1998, my visit to the Guggenheim Museum in Venice sparked a transformative encounter with Giorgio Morandi's exhibit of his late works. Morandi's simple yet profound paintings resonated with me in ways I couldn't fathom.

Despina Konstantinides’ landscapes are based less on her eye and more on her mind’s eye. Aflame with almost-neon-like yellow, orange, chartreuse in unexpected angles, the contours force the eye upwards and over almost in an electrically charged current. These are both real and surreal; they are realistic allegories of inner landscapes that reveal by what they conceal, by forcing the viewer to see deeply into forms they cannot take for granted.