Christine Valters Paintner is the online Abbess at www.AbbeyoftheArts.com, a virtual monastery without walls offering a variety of classes in contemplative practice and creative expression and the author of twelve books on spirituality, contemplative practice, and creative expression.

She is a Benedictine Oblate, poet, writer, spiritual director, retreat facilitator, teacher, and pilgrimage guide. Her fields of expertise include Christian spiritual practices, monastic spirituality, and the expressive arts. Christine earned her PhD in Christian Spirituality from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and her professional status as Registered Expressive Arts Consultant and Educator (REACE) from the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA.org).

Christine has lived in Galway, Ireland with her husband John since 2012. Together they lead pilgrimages and writing retreats in Ireland, Scotland, Germany, and Austria.