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Fascinated with moments when I catch a glimpse of the subtle nuances of the human face and form— it’s emotion, introspection, and honesty—I realize that we are all connected in some way.   The narrative imagery of these moments draws me in. I’m compelled to paint the story that each has to tell— creating a feeling of intimacy, gratitude, and heightened sensitivity to the uniqueness and mystery of the human spirit.

CYNTHIA FEUSTEL is an oil painter primarily known for her portrait and figurative work. Whether capturing an introspective moment of a figure or the quiet stillness in an arrangement of treasured objects, the subjects in her paintings are sensitively rendered inviting viewers into the narratives she portrays. Light, texture and gracefulness of form are all elements that inspire her work, but it is words like serenity, quietude, and stillness that express the contemplative feeling of the work. Having been a traditional portrait artist for 25 years, her attention to detail is evident.  Adhering to the time-honored method of building up multiple layers of paint over an initial underpainting, her work merges the classical tradition of oil painting with images that reveal a fresh, contemporary expression.

 

Born and raised in rural Pennsylvania, Cynthia was not exposed to the culture of fine arts. But even without museums and galleries as inspiration, she heard the calling from the artist within. She studied art at Penn State University before receiving her degree in Fashion Illustration from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Even then the idea of drawing the human form was intriguing to her. What she learned about anatomy and how the figure moves created a foundational basis for her later portrait and figurative works. After following a career in graphic design she turned her attention to fine art painting. Largely self-taught and fueled by the belief that one should never stop learning, she says, “ I became an artistic sponge, absorbing every bit of information I could. This path has caused me to search deep within myself to define my artistic voice.”

 

From 1999 until 2009 Cynthia worked full time as a commissioned portrait artist. She also maintained a large factory loft studio in Pennsylvania where she taught classes and workshops year round.  Then in 2009, Cynthia and her husband moved from Pennsylvania to Colorado. The move kicked off a journey to define herself and her work.

 

Cynthia’s attention to light, color, and composition paired with emotionally evocative moods has garnered her work significant awards. She holds Master Signature status in American Women Artists, is a Signature member in NOAPS and Oil Painter’s of America, along with juried memberships in International Guild of Realism and Women Artists of the West. Her work has been featured in national art publications and exhibited in galleries and museums across the United States. She is represented by McBride Gallery in Annapolis, MD.

 

AFFILIATIONS:

  • American Women Artists- Master Signature Member 

  • National Oil and Acrylic Painter's Society- Signature Member

  • International Guild of Realism

  • Oil Painter's of America - Signature Member

  • Women Artist's of the West

  • Heartland Art Club - Signature Member

AWARDS:

  • Award of Excellence, NOAPS Best of America 2021 Small Works Show

  • Award of Excellence, Women Artists of the West, 2021 National Exhibition

  • Award of Excellence, American Women Artists 2020 National Exhibition

  • SECOND PLACE, Women Artists of the West 2020 National Exhibition

  • BEST of SHOW, Women Artists of the West 2018 National Exhibition

  • Award for Figurative Excellence, Women Artists of the West 2018 National Exhibition

  • FIRST PLACE, Rocky Mountain Horse Expo's 9th Annual Art Show 2018

  • Merit Award, Women Artists of the West 2017 National Exhibition

  • Award of Excellence, Oil Painter's of America 2016 Salon Show

  • Award of Excellence, American Women Artists 2016 National Exhibition

  • FIRST PLACE Master Class, Art Muse Competition, July 2016

  • Award of Excellence, NOAPS Spring 2016 International On-Line Exhibition

  • Finalist, American Women Artists Spring Online Juried Show, 2016

  • Finalist, NOAPS, International Online Salon, Spring 2015

  • Finalist, Figurative Category, Art Renewal Center International 2012/2013 ARC Salon

  • 2nd Place Award, FASO/Bold Brush Competition, December 2012

  • Honors Award, Southwest Art Magazine Artistic Excellence Competition 2012

  • Finalist, International Artist Magazine, Dec 2011

  • Finalist, Southwest Art Magazine Artistic Excellence Competition, 2011

  • Finalist, Figurative Category, Art Renewal Center International 2010/2011 ARC Salon

  • Honorable Mention, The Artist's Magazine, All-Media Online Competition 2011

  • Top 50 Finalist, Southwest Art Magazine "Over 31 Competition", November 2010

  • Finalist, Fine Art Views (Bold Brush), November 2010

  • Finalist, Raymar Fine Art Competition, November 2010

  • Finalist, Raymar Fine Art Competition, October 2010

  • Honors Award, Inspiring Figures, Butler Institute of American Art, Sept 2010

  • Finalist, International Artist Magazine, August 2010

  • Finalist, Raymar Fine Art Competition, June 2010

 

EXHIBITIONS:

2024  (Including Upcoming Shows)

  • International Guild of Realism 18th Annual Exhibition, T.H. Brennan Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ

 

2023

  • NOAPS Best of America  National Exhibition, Principle Gallery, Alexandria, VA

  • International Guild of Realism 17th Annual Exhibition, Sugarman-Peterson Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

  • NOAPS Best of America Small Works National Exhibition, (Awards Judge), Mary Williams Fine Art, Boulder, CO

  • American Women Artists National Exhibition, Brookgreen Gardens, SC

  • Gratitude Exhibition 5th Annual, Kreuser Gallery,  Colorado Springs, CO 

2022

  • NOAPS Best of America Small Works 2022 National Exhibition, Beverly McNeil Gallery, Birmingham, AL

  • American Women Artists National Exhibition 2022, Customs House Museum, Clarksville, TN

 

2021 

  • NOAPS Best of America Small Works 2021 National Exhibition, Principle Gallery, Charleston, SC

  • International Guild of Realism Spring Salon Exhibition 2021

  • Gratitude Exhibition 3rd Annual, Kreuser Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO 

   2020 

  • American Artists Professional League 92nd Grand National Exhibition

  • International Guild of Realism Annual Exhibition, Principle Gallery, Charleston, SC

  • Oil Painter's of America 2020 National Exhibition, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX

  • International Guild of Realism Spring Salon Exhibition 2020

  • NOAPS Best of America Small Works 2020 National Exhibition, McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD

  • American Women Artists: Making Their Mark Exhibition, Booth Museum of Western Art, Cartersville, GA

  • Women Artists of the West 50th Anniversary National Exhibition, Settlers West Gallery, Tucson, AZ

  • Gratitude Exhibition, Kreuser Gallery,  Colorado Springs, CO 

  2019 ​​

  • A Tradition of Excellence: American Women Artists, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX

  • McBride Gallery, "Small Gems", Annapolis, MD

  • West Wind Fine Art, Holiday Open House. Keene, NH

  • National Oil and Acrylic Painter's Society (NOAPS) Fall International Online Exhibition

  • Heartland Invitational: ​A Survey of Excellence, St. Louis, MO

  • National Oil and Acrylic Painter's Society Best of America 2019 National, Montgomery-Lee Gallery, Park City, UT

  • McBride Gallery,  "Tonalism, Impressionism and Perceptualism", Annapolis, MD

  • American Women Artists, "Looking West", Steamboat Art Museum, Steamboat Springs, CO

  • Oil Painter's of America 2019 National Exhibition, Illume Gallery of Fine Art, St. George UT

  • West Wind Fine Art, Spring Open House, Colorado Springs, CO 

 

  2018​

  • National Oil and Acrylic Painter's Society 2018 International Fall Online Exhibition

  • Mountain Oyster Club Art Show and Sale, Tucson, AZ

  • National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Small Works Great Wonders Art Sale, Oklahoma City, OK,  

  • National Oil and Acrylic Painter's Society (NOAPS) Best of America National Exhibition, Eisele Gallery, Cincinnati, OH,  2018

  • Women Artists of the West 48th National Exhibition, Price Tower Arts Center, Bartlesville, OK

  • West Wind Fine Art, "Figures, Flowers & Delightful Friends", Colorado Springs, CO

  • American Women Artists Illuminate the Haggin Museum,  Stockton, CA

  • Oil Painter's of America National Exhibition, Steamboat Art Museum, Steamboat Springs, CO

  • McBride Gallery, The Art of Story Telling: A Narrative Show, Annapolis, MD

  • National Oil and Acrylic Painter's Society (NOAPS) Best of America Small Works National, Richland Fine Art, Nashville, TN

  • American Impressionists Society Small Works, Greenwich House Gallery, Cincinnati, OH

  • Montana Miniatures Show, Out West Art Show, Great Falls, MT

  • Rocky Mountain Horse Expo’s 9th Annual Art Show, National Western Complex, Denver, CO

  • Arts at Denver Gallery, Annual Valentine's Show, Denver, CO

   2017

  • Women Artists of the West (WAOW) 47th National Exhibition, McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD

  • Mountain Oyster Club Art Show and Sale, Tucson, AZ

  • Miniatures by the Lake Show, Coeur d'Alene Galleries, Sept 2017, Coeur d'Alene, ID

  • Montana Miniatures Show, Great Falls, MT

  • Art Muse Exhibition, Jack Meier Gallery, Huston, TX

   2016​

  • Oil Painter's of America 2016 Western Regional Exhibition, Marshall Gallery of Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ

  • Oil Painter's of America 2016 Salon Exhibition,  Castle Gallery Fine Art, Fort Wayne, IN

  • American Women Artists 2016 National Exhibition,  Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT

  • Miniatures by the Lake Show, Coeur d'Alene Galleries, Coeur d'Alene, ID

  • Out West Art Show and Sale, Great Falls, MT

   2015​

  • Traveling the West Art Show, Southwest Gallery, Dallas, TX

  • Oil Painter's of America 2015 Western Exhibition, Wild Horse Gallery, Steamboat Springs, CO

  • Rawhide and Spurs, Mountain Trails Fine Art, Santa Fe, NM

   2014​

  • Art For Life, 2014, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO,

  • Oil Painter's of America 2014 Western Regional Exhibition, Mountainsong Galleries, Carmel, CA

  2010-2013

  • Oil Painter's of America 2013 Juried Salon, Crooked Tree Art Center, Petoskey, MI

  • Solo Exhibition, February 2013, Rip Caswell Gallery, Troutdale, OR

  • Oil Painter's of America 2012 Western Regional Exhibition, Gallery 1261, Denver, CO

  • Oil Painter's of America 2011 Western Regional Exhibition, Lee Youngman Galleries, Calistoga, CA

  • Solo Exhibition, July 2011, Turpin Gallery, Jackson, WY

  • Oil Painter's of America 2011 National Exhibition, Devin Gallery, Coeur d'Alene, ID

  • Salon International 2011 Juried Exhibition, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX

  • Salon International 2010 Juried Exhibition, Greenhouse Gallery, San Antonio, TX

  • Inspiring Figures, Portrait Society of America, 2010, Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH

  • Oil Painter's of America 2010 Western Regional Juried Show, Mountain Trails Gallery, Jackson, WY

 

PUBLICATIONS:

  • Southwest Art Magazine, March/April 2021, "Heart and Soul", six-page feature article

  • Fine Art Connoisseur - December 2020, "Three to Watch"

  • Art of the West - January/February 2019, "Poetry in Paint",  four-page feature article

  • Southwest Art Magazine - November 2017, "Women Artists of the West"

  • Fine Art Connoisseur - December 2016, "The Enduring Appeal of Youth"

  • Western Art Collector - October 2015, "Traveling the West"

  • Southwest Art Magazine - December 2012, "Artistic Excellence" winners

  • Southwest Art Magazine - January 2012, "The Human Experience"

  • International Artist Magazine - December/January 2012

  • International Artist Magazine - August/September 2010

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