Several years ago I was a member of the Women's Caucus for Art of Greater Washington (WCADC), the local chapter of the National WCA whose mission is to create community through art, education and social activism. As a member I enjoyed having opportunities to show my textile artworks in exhibitions, and I loved meeting and networking with the diverse community of women artists, including Cynthia Farrell Johnson of C. Farrell Johnson Fine Arts, LLC. I recently interviewed this talented artist, and all-around wonderful person, for my new series, Small Business Spotlight:
In which art medium(s) do you work?
My favorite medium is gouache, an opaque water-based paint that is used in advertising because it reproduces vibrantly. I enjoy working with bright colors, so in addition to gouache, I also work in acrylic and will often create mixed media pieces using collage and found objects.
Jazz is Life
What is the inspiration behind your artworks?
There is so much around me that is inspirational! Sometimes it is a beautiful flower garden, or the parks in my community. Often I draw inspiration from people I see going about their daily routines and making our lives more comfortable. Other times it might be a passage from the Bible, a radio program or a podcast that fires up my imagination.
Do you have any artist role models?
Faith Ringgold and Romare Bearden inspired me at an early age. Both of them had day jobs but also were artists and activists when I was growing up. Faith Ringgold is still alive and continues to create and speak truth to power. Other artists who inspired me were Vincent Van Gogh, Honoré Daumier, and Henry O. Tanner. I had a poster of Tanner’s Banjo Lesson hanging in my room when I was a teenager. I appreciated how the artist captured the love of the elderly man for the young child he was teaching.
Is your art exhibited currently? If so, where?
While I do not have anything on exhibit right now, from December 3, 2021 through January 2, 2022 I will have a painting in the annual fundraising exhibition in the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center’s Helen C. Frederick Gallery. Otherwise, some of my work is on permanent display in venues like Shepherd’s Table in downtown Silver Spring, or Martha’s Table in the Anacostia community of Washington, DC. My work is always on display in my art studio in Pyramid Atlantic Art Center in Hyattsville, Maryland, and I am always happy to welcome visitors by appointment.
What types of products do you offer that feature your artwork?
An extensive line of note cards along with digital prints are available from my studio or on my website (http://www.cfjfinearts.com/). You can find items for sale on the website pages under Gift Shop. Items are also available in the gift shop at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center (https://pyramidatlanticartcenter.org/). Anything that is a note card can also be reproduced as a digital print. All you have to do is ask me, indicating the size preference. I have also created a few t-shirts featuring my work. Not all note card designs are on my website, so to see the full range, a visit to the studio is recommended.
In addition, I have 2022 wall, desk-flip and one-page calendars available for sale. Ordering information is available on the website (http://www.cfjfinearts.com/calendar).
How may someone purchase your products?
Anyone interested in purchasing my products may do so by visiting my website or the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center online gift shop: (https://pyramid-atlantic-art-center.myshopify.com/collections/greeting-cards) or (https://pyramid-atlantic-art-center.myshopify.com/). If you are open to in-person visits, stopping by my studio or the gift shop is an option. To set up an appointment for a studio visit, feel free to email me (cyn@cfjfinearts.com) or call (301) 589-3428.
Do you have any special offerings or events for the upcoming holiday season?
Yes!! Anyone who comes for a studio visit will get a free one-page calendar while the supply lasts!
Please also add this to your shopping list - Pyramid Atlantic Art Center will have a booth at the Washington DC Downtown Holiday Market (http://downtownholidaymarket.com/) where my calendars and note cards will be available. Stop by between November 19 and December 23, 2021, to support local creatives!
Be sure to follow the links in the Q&A to check out Cynthia's work.
I created the Small Business Spotlight series to highlight some of the amazing artists and small business owners I've met along my journey. I will be sharing these interviews periodically through my newsletter, and you can also check them out on the Blog page of my website at skcreations.com.
Thank you for supporting Small Businesses!