Feb 2020 Newsletter: What I Learned in NYC!

What I Learned in NYC! My Trip to Gain More Art Exposure   Early this month I took two trips, one for business and one for pleasure. I'll start with the New York City trip. For a long time, I have been interested in licensing my work. I researched online the best licensing expos, and found SURTEX a few years ago. As a result, I finally attended the SURTEX licensing expo (at the Javits Center) in NYC (Feb 2-5, 2020) to see what this licensing thing is all about. I learned that licensing is not a sprint, but a marathon, as I have a lot to learn about licensing itself, contracts, how to set up a good-looking booth, and how to create surface design patterns (and if I would like to even attempt surface design). (A general image of the Surtex Fair) There were artists, surface designers and licensing companies from all over the world with a huge variety of styles. I was very aware of the idea that this was a fact-finding mission. The exhibitors were there to sell, so my talking to them was carefully limited, and I kept my conversations short and sweet. What I did realize, is that my work, which incorporates pattern and color, could work beautifully in this setting. One artist/surface designer, Shannon McNab, was very helpful, and is what one would call the artist liason for SURTEX. She teaches a class about surface design, as well as about SURTEX itself on SkillShare. I even sat in on one of her discussions of licensing. If you would like to learn more about licencing, she can be found on SkillShare. The result of my trip was fantastic, as I was able to connect with two licensing companies, and met so many delightful artists who were very kind and cheerful. I'll keep you posted on how this goes! (My former Art Institute of Portland colleague, James Anderson, took my image of NYC and rendered it in outline. He said he loved the two-point perspective. I was thrilled this image inspired him!) My Second Trip: Irvine, CA Succulent Central! I feel lucky to have been able to take a week off to travel to NYC and Irvine, CA. On this California trip, I visited my good friends who live near the University of Irvine. What I love about visiting my friends is how much we do, and how much we see. The trip consisted of my loving their succulent garden, and then visiting a succulent nursery. Succulents are one of my FAVORITE species of plants due to their color, shape and variety. Seeing them thrive in this environment is so exciting!!!!! Heather Robinson & Superfine Art Fair A day-trip to LA My friends and I also visited an art fair in LA called SUPERFINE. Here, my San Francisco-based artist/friend, Heather Robinson, was exhibiting her work, so I got to meet her in person, and view her work up close!!! New Colored Pencil Work Egg Aura 4 Just this past month I finished this colored pencil piece: Egg Aura 4 Colored Pencil on Museum Board 12 x 9 in I hadn't worked in colored pencil for a while, and was surprised to rediscover how long it takes to layer and blend. The blending is very much like blending colors with paint. The reason i started reusing this medium is I had a strong urge play with a drawing medium. And If you're wondering why often incorporate eggs into my work, it's because I love the shape, and then I love what they represent: potential! If you would  like to purchase a print of this work (the original sold), you can choose your size directly from my website! www.tiny.cc/egg_aura_4 A 10 x 13 print costs only $55, and makes a great birthday or Easter gift! That is all from here! Thank you for reading my latest traveling and art inspiration newsletter! Have a wonderful day full of joy and love, Cynthia  Learn more about MY ART at: cynthiamosser.com Schedule a STUDIO TOUR: info@cynthiamosser.com

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Self-Employed - Finally!

I am finally self-employed, and working from home, so I can be closer to my art. Coming from the safety of a part-time job where I could count on income, and specific hours, I now feel somewhat untethered, but know I made the right choice.

Self-employment is easy, I just have adjust.

Photo byPhoto by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

Cynthia Mosser Open Studio & Sale as Part of Clark County Open Studios 2019

Sat/Sun November 2 & 3 is my STUDIO SALE as part of Clark County Open Studios!

Not only will I have an open studio and sale, you can choose from a variety of other open studios in the Vancouver, WA region!

Here is the link to find out more about my open studio:
cynthiamosser.com/events

Here is the link to find out more about other studios:
artstra.org/open-studios

BRING A FRIEND!

Masterminding with Alyson B. Stanfield

The weekend of September 28-29, 2019 was spent with eleven other artists, and artist coach, Alyson Stanfield in Kirland, WA at the Heathman Hotel. 

I absolutely love Alyson's approach to Masterminding to get plans, goals and ideas worked out, so one may move forward with ease.

I highly recommend working with her!
https://artbizsuccess.com/

Image source: cynthiamosser

September 2019 Newsletter | Camp YES | Art GOALS | Clark County Open STUDIOS

Another Year of F-U-N at Camp YES! Cedar Ridge Retreat Center • Vernonia, OR Early September, I spent four days with fabulous women at a camp created by Marli Wiliams called CAMP YES! At the Cedar Ridge Retreat in Vernonia, OR, we get to say YES to ourselves: play all out, do yoga, have campfires, eat fabulous food, try the 300 ft slip-n-slide, perform lip synch at the Untalent Show, or just rest. Since FUN is what my art all about, this plays right into my passion for joy and adventure.  highly recommend attending! Want to learn more about next year's CAMP YES? CLICK HERE My Goals and Dreams My Art in New Construction One thing I usually don't do with my newsletter is make an ask...but here we go: My goal for the end of 2019 is to have my work purchased and placed in new construction in the Portland/Vancouver area. I have made list of new construction, and I am ready to contact interior designers. If you happen to know an interior designer working on a large project in the Portland/Vancouver area, I would love a referral! Clark County Open Studios Save the Date! Sat/Sun November 2 & 3, 2019 I am opening my studio once again for the Clark County Open Studios! This takes place the first weekend in November!  free map and tour guide can be found at: http://tiny.cc/ccos_november_2019 What: Clark County Open Studios (my studio is #34) Where: Vancouver, WA Dates: Sat/Sun November 2 & 3, 2019 Time: 10-5 I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU! I wholeheartedly appreciate your reading my newsletter, and I hope you find value in my sharing my inner and outer creative world. ❤❤❤

What Next? (After I Take a Rest.)

After an art exhibition, I always ask myself, "What is next?"

This question, of course, comes after a couple of weeks rest.

As hard as I try to keep the momentum going after a solo art show, I usually melt after about three days, and recover by sleeping. As an introvert, and empath, the intensity of the openings, artist talks, meeting people at the gallery, and keeping a positive mindset can become tiring. Hence the rest.

I do have events lined up in the fall of 2019: a studio exhibition, a mastermind meeting with Alyson B. Stanfield, and definite goals. I just want to reevaluate where I am, and focus on what will make me happy artistically, and keep me afloat financially.

JUNE Art Newsletter...My Opening & Hungarian Embroidery

It's About to Go Down! The show opens June 5, 2019!  You may, or may not know I am having a solo exhibition at the Augen Gallery in Portland, Oregon starting tomorrow, Wednesday, June 5th. Here are three reasons why I believe you should visit my show: The work is colorful, whimsical, and F-U-N! Even better, you'll see my newly experimented alcohol ink technique, which has a very flow-y look. Glitter is even involved! SHOW DETAILS:  Augen Gallery (augengallery.com) 716 NW Davis Street • Portland, OR 97209 map OPENINGS & ARTIST TALK Wednesday Preview: June 5th 5-7:30pm (food & wine) First Thursday: June 6th 5-8pm Artist Talk: Saturday June 15 Noon RUNS: Wednesday, June 5 through Saturday, June 29, 2019 Regular hours: 11am - 5:30pm Consider taking a friend, and making an evening of it! I recommend the Canopy Hotel on NW 9th Avenue as a great place to start (or end) your evening. NOTE: If you can't make it to the openings or artist talk, I am happy to meet you at the gallery for a personal tour (I truly mean it.) ADDITIONALLY: Take a photo of any of my new pieces at my show, share it to social media, and as a THANK YOU, I'll give you a free folded note card (with envelope), on the spot! Image Above: Flow, 2019 Alcohol ink, acrylic paint, white charcoal, gel pen, glitter, beeswax. 39 x 27 in Start to Finish The process of a mixed media painting My mixed media paintings are some of the most detailed, and media-intensive pieces I create, mainly because of the layering. Below are the stages of media used within each image: 1. India Ink pen is drawn on traditional gesso 2. A yellow/ochre wash is painted over the doodles, then acrylic paint is used over the wash. 3. When the acrylic under painting is done, I melt/paint encaustic medium (beeswax + damar resin) over the painting. I use a heat gun to smooth it out. Finally, I draw/incise lines into the almost cool wax, and add oil paint into the lines.    Fraternal Foliage (bounty), 2019 India ink, acrylic paint, encaustic medium, oil paint 40 x 60 in Read more about the entire materials process: CLICK HERE A Bit of Knowledge Kalotaszeg Embroidery from Hungary I am a definite Eastern European folk art enthusiast. In 2003, I spent three weeks in Hungary at an artist residency, and it was there, that I fell in love with Hungarian Kalotaszeg embroidery. This embroidery uses cotton thread stitched onto linen. I love the intense details, the celebration of the feminine, and the gorgeous designs. There are many styles of embroidery in Hungary, and Matyo, Kalocsa, Kalotaszeg are among the most popular. (TIP: If you ever visit Budapest in the summer, be sure to visit the outdoor doily market near the castle, where you can buy these pillow cases.)   Once Again...Solo Show Starts Wed June 5th  F-U-N is my why.   I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU! I wholeheartedly appreciate your reading my newsletter, and I hope you find value in my sharing my inner and outer creative world. ❤❤❤ Learn more about MY ART at: cynthiamosser.com Schedule a SHOW TOUR: info@cynthiamosser.com Happy June! Thank you for reading! Cynthia

May 2019 - NEWSLETTER

My Solo Show in JUNE

Almost here...

You may, or may not know I am having a solo exhibition at the Augen Gallery in Portland, Oregon next month (June). I would love to see you at one of the openings!

Here is why I think you should visit my show: My work is colorful, whimsical, and fun! Plus, I'll show some pieces using a new medium: isopropyl alcohol inks!

If you would like a postcard invitation, email me your address!



SHOW DETAILS: 

When: Augen Gallery (augengallery.com)
Where: 716 NW Davis Street • Portland, OR 97209 map

OPENINGS:

• Wednesday Preview: June 5th 5-7:30pm (food & wine)
• First Thursday: June 6th 5-8pm

Runs: Wednesday, June 5 through Saturday, June 29, 2019
Regular hours: 11am - 5:30pm

Consider taking a friend, and making an evening of it!
I recommend the Canopy Hotel on NW 9th Avenue as a great place to start (or end) your evening!

NOTE: Here's a gift to you for visiting my show: Take a photo of any of my new pieces  at my show, share it to social media, and I'll give you a free folded note card (with envelope), on the spot!

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Folk Art Highlight:
Straznice, Czech Republic

Painting on architecture. It doesn't get any better than this!

Of any European town I have ever visited, Straznice in the Czech Republic, is one that has stayed with me.

Above all, their folk art designs spoke to me on a deep level. They have a joyous feeling, and not only that, they render them on architecture! It is a blending of the feminine (folk art designs) and masculine (architecture) that seems sublime.These designs have definitely influenced my own work

 

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A Bit of Knowledge

Traditional gesso...what is it?

Before I start my mixed media pieces, I start with a painting base called gesso (in this case, traditional gesso). This is a white painting ground, and I make my own. It starts with hydrating rabbit skin glue (essentially refined rabbit collagen), heating it in a pot, and and then adding marble dust to make a medium-thick consistency solution.

I use this particular gesso recipe so the encaustic medium (beeswax) will soak into the panel, making it more permanent. Making some of my art involves a bit of cooking. Who knew!?

*Wikipedia article

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Once Again...Solo Show Next Month!

I would love to share my work with you!

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Become a Patron

Making an ask...

Have you ever wanted to support an artist? I have partnered with Patreon, a website that allows creators and influencers to interact with fans and get financial support for their work.

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I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU! I wholeheartedly appreciate your reading my newsletter, and I hope you find value in my sharing my inner and outer creative world. ❤❤❤

My Solo Exhibition - June 2019 - Augen Gallery

I just received word my solo show has been moved to June 2019 (instead of April 2019) at the Augen Gallery in Portland, Oregon. 

This certainly gives me more time to produce a few more pieces! I am looking forward to sharing my creations with you!

My Favorites List - NEWSLETTER - January 2019

My Favorites List

What I love...

Over the year, I thought about the things that brought my senses joy, whether it is a book, a piece of art, a movie, a restaurant, or even chocolate!
Here they are:
1) Favorite Art Piece of 2018 (see above) This is the Place, 2018 colored pencil and graphite on paper. 10-5/8 x 14 inches by Hibiki Miyazaki. Augen Gallery. I love this piece for its utterly nostalgic feeling.
2)  Favorite books: 
The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist
Pussy by Regena Thomashauer
Sacred Success by Barbara Stanny
3) Favorite film: Ibiza, 2018 on Netflix
4) Favorite series: Hot Date on Netflix (Canadian series)
5) Favorite restaurant: Smokin' Oak in Vancouver, WA (The corn dog is amazing! :))
6) Favorite business and marketing coaches:
Lisa Marie Platske of Design Your Destiny 
Veronika Noize of the DIY Marketing Center
7) Favorite indulgent food: Red Lindt balls 
8) Favorite quote: Fun is the secret to a gratified life. - Regena Thomashauer

What are your favorites? Just hit reply, and let me know!!!
 

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Inspiration Central

The Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coast is absolutely THE place that inspires me. I have been lucky enough to stay a beach house overlooking the ocean in Depoe Bay for 18 years. Why does the beach inspire me? Perhaps it is the endless time I feel while I am there. Perhaps it is the shapes I love, which are just below the surface of the water. (I can't see them, but I can feel them!!) Perhaps it is the completely different environment. What I do know, is that I get my best art ideas while I am there. 
 

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Save the Date

April 2019

Wednesday, April 3rd and Thursday, April 4th are the opening reception dates of my latest show at the Augen Gallery in Portland, Oregon's Pearl District (716 NW Davis Street. Portland, OR 97209 augengallery.com)

The image above is a snippet of what you will see. :)

I would love to see you and have a conversation with you there.

OPENING DATES: Wed & Thurs, April 3rd & 4th
RUNS THROUGH: The month of April 2019 
TIME: 5-8PM
WHERE: 716 NW Davis Street. Portland, OR 97209
WEBSITE: augengallery.com

INSPIRATION in Unusual Places

Inspiration can come at the most unusual times, and from the greatest things. This image is an excerpt from a 40 year-old paper turkey my mother-in-law brought to our Thanksgiving gathering.

I love the colors, the overlapping feather design, and their outline.

Who knew an old turkey could be in alignment with what I love looking at?

Where do you find inspiration?