Since drawing with TV artist, Jon Gnagy at the age of 4, I have always wanted to be an artist. From an early age, I began painting and drawing, studying with a local artist and in public schools. I then went to Carnegie-Mellon University and graduated from the University of Wisconsin. I continued my studies at The New School and DeCordova Museum School. I currently belong to the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society where I create ceramics and have a painting studio in Arlington MA. I am a member of National Association of Women Artists, Inc.
My work has been a search for a creative medium that would give me the greatest latitude to explore design, color, texture, negative space and a wide range of subjects.
Because I do not have the traditional rectangle to contain my work, I am always looking at subjects that I would like to paint and asking, where do I crop the image. I draw a lot to find this edge and understand the subject before I begin a painting. Drawing the image on homasote, cutting it out and laying down the paper mache, all happen before I begin painting. The recycled newspapers are exploited for pattern, color, gray tones, line and even text.
Painting on paper mache, on a shaped surface helps me break two restrictions on traditional painting--the flat surface and the rectangle. I counter this non traditional surface with a painterly realism to find my expression.
Copyright © Cynthia Samuelson 8 Wingate Road, Lexington, MA 02124 781-863-5335 email: jlscis@verizon.net