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?

BLACK FRIDAY SALE! Until Monday 11/26!

START YOUR ENGINES! From now until Monday, I've gone full tilt!
It's BLACK FRIDAY, SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY & CYBER MONDAY all rolled into one. 

TAKE 30% off STOREWIDE!
Use code ART30 (expires Cyber Monday 11-26-2018 at 10PM PST)

When it's gone, it's gone!

cynthiamosser.com


Free shipping as always on card sets! Now only $14!

Knock out your gift giving with some of my best PRINT sellers below!
You choose the size of your print!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week!

Warmly, Cynthia :)

My SEPTEMBER 2018 art NEWSLETTER!

If you haven't read my SEPTEMBER 2018 ART NEWSLETTER, check it out!

It's about SAYING YES! to myself, Portlandia and more...

click here



Photo by marli williams

What Takes my Breath Away - MOSS

MOSS is nature's velvet, so when I see it clinging to any surface it can in a forest, I am taken to another world. It's soft, for the most part, and can make a great bed (or seat!) I adore the permeating green hue as well; this creates a beautiful aura if enough of it is around. 

So I am adding moss to my collection of what inspires me. (Other inspirations include egg shapes, flowers, coral, plankton and succulents.)

Image sourse: jeff_cooper_unsplash

Q & A About my Work on ARTSPHORIA MAGAZINE

Check out an ARTICLE ABOUT MY WORK, and how my art make it onto the TV show Portlandia.

Succulent Puff III, 2006

Mixed media on panel

16 x 16 inches

My Art on the TV Show PORTLANDIA

I am thrilled to discover my art was placed on the TV show Portlandia (Season 8, ep. 5).

You can view the paintings featured on the show here:
cynthiamosser.com/originals

WHY I MAKE ART

I make art for a variety of reasons. The main reason is that it's fun to make things; I love to work with art materials and draw/paint.

Art is the thing I am good at. I could certainly be in a different profession; however, color, design, making something appear three-dimensional is a true joy, as if by osmosis, I know the answer. Art is also an inner expression, and something that brings me calm and satisfaction.

I also see art as a form of entertainment, and I love seeing someone delighted or moved by one of my pieces. Ultimately, my goal is really to make myself happy (sounds selfish, but it's true!) while making others happy. It's as if the happier I am, the happier my art appears, and the happier the viewer becomes. 

When I channel the spirit of nature into my work, I hope that the viewer can recognize something within it, either themselves, the feeling, or their own emotional existence.

Photo by Dan Cook on Unsplash

POP-UP Shop! at WEST ELM with CYNTHIA MOSSER

Saturday, April 14th, I am thrilled to offer a 4-hour pop-up exhibition at WEST ELM furniture/decor store in Portland's Pearl District. I will have originals, reproductions and prints - all available for sale -- surrounded by WEST ELM decor.(westelm.com) (cynthiamosser.com) This venue is a great way to view my work in a contemporary space. Plus my work is for sale! I am looking forward to sharing my work with you. The first five customers receive a FREE PRINT! WHEN: Saturday, April 14, 2018 TIME: 12-4PM WHERE: West Elm 1201 NW Couch Street. Portland, OR 97209 (directions http://tiny.cc/west_elm) FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS EVENT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

Home Art Shows

At the start of 2018, it was suggested to me to try a home art show. A home art show is a small art exhibition, where I bring my work to a friend's or acquaintance's house. They invite over their friends. I display some work, discuss it, and talk about my art process. (And of course, the work is for sale.)

I am trying home art shows to bring my work to those who can't always make it to galleries. Many people live out of town or far from the center. Additionally, people are busy, especially if they have children. Another reason is that galleries can, on occasion, be intimidating. 

What I love about this type of event are the connections I make, the direct contact with collectors, and the ability to meet people in an intimate and comfortable environment.

If you are interested in having me come to your home for a home art show in the Portland/Vancouver region, send me an email: info@cynthiamosser.com

LIVE PAINTING EVENT!

This Saturday, from 1-3PM, I'll demonstrate my GOUACHE painting technique at the Dick Blick art store in the Pearl District. Bring a friend, and see how I use it within my work!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this art medium, gouache /ɡwäSH/ paint is a matte watercolor often used in illustration, It's rich, saturated, and opaque, which is why I love using it.

Here is a link to an article I wrote about it last year: GOUACHE

Dick Blick art store is located at 1115 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209.

DETAILS:
When: Saturday, February 3rd, 1-3PM
Where: Dick Blick Art Store 1115 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN ME!

Short Studio Tour - CYNTHIA MOSSER

Here is a quick tour of my art studio. 

Being Vulnerable

Being vulnerable in regard to my art and life is something that feels new for me. When I say vulnerable, I mean allowing others to see who I truly am.

I often hide behind a wardrobe of black. Don't smile always. In the art world, it isn't cool to be vulnerable (read: weak). Ultimately, I haven't shared who I truly am out of fear of shame.

My new goal in life is to share myself. Share my fears, and let that be OK. Be authentic.

So my new way of being is to allow others to see that my raison d'etre is all about PLAY and FUN. Play and fun are what fuels me and my art, and makes both better.

Additionally, each week I am going to share something that makes me afraid.

This week's topic is rejection.

Rejection is what keeps me stuck and not moving forward in my business.

It paralyzes me at times.

It is as if I am controlling the outcome before I even try.

So I am going to move through my fear and try,

even if it is uncomfortable.

How I Got into Art

How I Got into Art

Doing art has always been something I've wanted to do, especially as a child. I was good at it in grade school and often won the carnival poster contests. Later on in high school, I was a photographer, but never thought I could make a living from it -- even in college I felt that way.

The event that pushed me further into art was simply the knowledge that I didn't want to do anything else. I simply made a decision, and that was when I was 25. From that point on, I went to art school at Pratt Insitute. I started practicing art on a more regular level when I moved to Prague, CZ right after art school (1998). 

You can see what I do at cynthiamosser.com