October 2017 - Cindy Anderson

Cindy A. Anderson began painting in the mid 80’s and has developed a deep respect and passion for the medium.  After living in New York and attending Pratt Institute for a few years she returned home to study under a few prolific central Florida artists with the intent of finding her own voice.

    “I create my paintings using iconic imagery.  These depictions stir not only my imagination, but the viewer’s as well.  I choose to allow each of us to come to our own conclusions as to what a specific symbol means.  An apple could signify wholesomeness and health or Eve dooming us all to exile.  What you choose to interpret is up to you.  The intrigue of my paintings is that they invite you to think and to invent your own narrative.  As we evolve and bring new parts of ourselves to the image, we will see and discern all new meanings in them, keeping them fresh and relevant.
      The execution of the painting is much easier to explain. I most often use acrylics or oils on wood for most of my work. The hard nature of the wood allows me to manipulate the surface before, during and after the paint is applied. Many layers of ground are laid down first to make the work as archival as possible. The ground not only protects the layers of paint but also can be manipulated into a variety of textures. When the paint is applied, and still wet, tools are often used to carve into the pigment, drawing the subject in its surroundings. Many layers of glazed, transparent colors are then added to create the desired mood. Often, even when the work appears to be finished, I will continue to work into the surface of the painting to give additional force to the image. It is important to me that the viewer feels the emotion that I’ve put into the work, whether it be peace or outrage. I never want the viewer to leave the work feeling bored.”

Cindy’s work can be found in the collections of The Maitland Art Center, Valencia Community College, City of Orlando, The Vue and many other private collections around the country. Painting in a studio located in the McRae Art Studios in Orlando year round, she exhibits her work in galleries and art festivals nation wide.

To learn more about Cindy, you can view her website here.