About Cynthia

Raised in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the daughter of university professors, I was blessed with a mother and grandmothers who taught me to sew, embroider, quilt, knit, and crochet from a very young age. The message that useful things could, and should, also be beautiful was to be seen everywhere in the homes of my family. The decorative arts adorned our walls, beds, and tables. When it came to these items, handmade was viewed as better than "store-bought" and was always praised, valued, and cherished. Creating for the sheer joy of it was also an important part of what my family believed.

As a child and teenager, I studied music quite seriously, but upon entering college I found my interest shifting to photography and art history... which are about as financially rewarding as music! I spent many years developing my photographic skills and artistic way of seeing. However, although photography (both film and digital) still plays an important role in my life, I now often work in the art quilt format. Digital imaging, mixed media collage, and painting (oil, acylic and watercolor) are also nestled into my creative toolbox. In another creative arena, I am a published poet and essayist.

My photographic work has been published in periodicals and books, including three photos in "A Rivertop Journal," the most recent work from nature writer, poet, and activist Walt Franklin.

I am a participating artist in two special fund-raising projects this year, both benefitting the American Cancer Society through Virginia Spiegel's Fiberart For a Cause. The first is Collage Mania II. The second is Breaking Traditions.

An art quilt was selected for inclusion in Creative Quilting, The Journal Quilt Project, a retrospective book on The Journal Quilt Project, sponsored by International Quilt Festival. This year I will once again be participating in The Journal Quilt Project with work exhibited at IQF in Houston, Chicago, and Long Beach over the coming year.

My career path has been varied. I have worked in photography, emergency medical services, music, teaching, archival management, a school of engineering, a special collections library, art, and a couple other shorter term things. I prefer to think of myself as multifaceted... not unfocused!

Gardening, technology, cooking, vernacular photography, reading, hiking, travel, animals, nature, and chaos and complex adaptive systems theories, are among my many other interests.

In addition to pursuing my artwork and other creative outlets, I currently work as administrator of a non-profit institution in Santa Fe, New Mexico, serving a worldwide clientele.