Paintner, Christine Valters: - Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, REACE is the online Abbess of Abbey of the Arts, a virtual monastery and global, ecumenical community integrating contemplative practice and creative expression. She leads online retreats and prayer services and hosts other wisdom teachers. Christine is a Benedictine oblate living on the west coast of Ireland with her husband John and is the author of numerous books on spirituality, monastic wisdom, creativity, poetry, and the arts.