Featured Artist--Cynthia Mooney

Our featured artist for July is Cynthia Mooney. Cynthia is our resident florist, and many of her pieces incorporate flowers in some form. Cynthia is known for her admirable keeping of art journals, almost on a daily basis. They often focus on her extensive travels and are always a delight to see.

1. What are the main mediums you use? What do you find satisfying about them?

Paper, collage elements, watercolor and acrylics, though lately I have more of an interest in fibers due to the influence of my PAC friends and their work. I like to try a variety of media but I particularly enjoy the texture and patterns of paper and love using them to make handmade journals which I work in weekly.

2. If someone were going to get started in those mediums, what suggestions would you give?

I would suggest that if someone wanted to get started in journaling, which I heartily recommend as a life changing practice, that they look at the great variety of books on the subject for inspiration, like Danny Gregory's An Illustrated Life, Everyday Matters and 1000 Artist's Journals. For an easy introduction, one could take my Artful Journal class that I offer locally several times a year. I also teach private one-on-one classes as well.

Find a blank journal that you like and try to work in it in any medium at least once a week.

Cynthia's Santos:

3. A perfect art day would look like...

A perfect day would be a day spent in my studio, preferably recently cleaned, with unlimited time to create, listening to my favorite music or a radio program.

Journal pages:

4. Do you have dedicated studio space?

I work all throughout my house, but I have two dedicated work spaces. My studio is a freestanding "playhouse" designed and built by my son, called Hidden Nest Studio, as it is tucked away at the back of the garden.

Handmade soft-cover journals:

5. Favorite place you've lived or visited?

We have been lucky enough to travel extensively and I am particularly drawn to tropical locales especially Hawaii, for the color and flowers, and Mexico for the culture. My favorite destination is usually the last place I visited.

6. What inspires you (or are there recurring themes in your work)?

Color and flora and fauna inspire me. I often include butterflies, birds or flowers in my work.

Handmade hard-cover journals:

7. I still struggle with...

Deadlines and motivation.

8. Favorite dessert?

The molten lava chocolate cake from Roy's in Hawaii.

Collage:

10. What's on the horizon?

More travel, more journaling, more teaching, perhaps on a cruise ship?

To see more of Cynthia's work, visit her blog. You can also contact her at csmooney@hotmail.com if you would like info. about upcoming classes.