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!

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

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!

Here is a quick tour of my art studio. 

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 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

This Makes Me Happy I live for moments like this: seeing a new building in Portland, OR with an exciting exterior. The building is called the Fair-Haired Dumbbell, and it is an office building with a mural by LA artist, James Jean. Every 10-15 years, the building owners are thinking about changing the mural. I love it for its playfulness and color.  bizjournal