We had the good fortune of connecting with Cindy Flynn and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Cindy, how does your business help the community?
Art. People like to have art on their walls in their home but does it make a social impact? I believe it does!
Art, whether it be a painting or a sculpture or a fabric design, touches part of ourselves which sees beauty, interest, creativity and life. Art in any form can touch the soul. A work of art might connect to a person in a way the artist may never know. It could be a painting of a child walking to school. Perhaps a person viewing that painting is reminded of a simpler time when life was full of possibilities and choices and lunches carried in a brown paper bag. Perhaps that person begins to smile and remember who they were and who they still want to be. Art has power. It tells a story. It gives hope. It brings pleasure. It can be beautiful.
For me, I paint to point others to the beauty all around. We have been given a gift of nature and it can give us rest, respite, calm, adventure, curiosity, and joy. BUT, we need to be still and notice. I believe my social impact is to encourage others to be still, to slow down, to stop striving and notice. I want others to notice the spider web spun over night that is glistening in the morning light, the buds as they begin to emerge from the branch of the tree in early spring that will soon be lush, green leaves, and the glowing orange, red and sometimes purple as the sun begins to set and we begin to see that deep navy sprinkled with stars. I hope my social impact will be to encourage rest and hope and point others to a place where they can enjoy the beauty all around. If we as a people are sitting still and enjoying the gifts around us, I believe we will be calmer, and kinder, and maybe more connected with others. That is the kind of social impact we all want to see!
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I studied Art Education at the University of Georgia and taught students art in both public and private schools. Also, I have been a muralist and created jewelry in various metals. I’ve loved being able to use my creativity to connect with students and also bring joy and beauty to homes and people with my murals and jewelry.
Now, I love using my ability to paint to share my love of nature with others. My “brand” is enjoying the beauty all around and sharing that beauty with others. I paint in oils and do both brush work and palette knife paintings. My work conveys the energy and life of nature and this is more emphasized in my palette knife work with the impasto texture. My Southern Scape Series was extremely well received and sold out quickly. It is a series of smaller works in the palette knife technique based on my travels around the southern part of the United States. I’m very proud of its success and the encouragement I received from people. This encouragement lead me to create my painting business Cinflynnart.
I’m thankful to sell my paintings I create under the Cinflynnart brand.
I also created a small product line of note cards and journals featuring some of my garden paintings and sold out quickly. I plan to do more of these product lines in the future. I’m also very encouraged and energized by my commission work. I love creating something unique and beautiful for a client. Their story becomes my story as I paint. I love that and am always open to taking commissions!
I want to encourage others to never stop dreaming, pursuing, learning and growing. My work career could have ended with teaching which would have fulfilled a purpose and been a great life. However, I had a dream and decided to go for it. I did not let fear or insecurities stop me. This passion lead me to become an artist member at The Roswell Square Gallery where I show my work and spend time with amazing local artists. I hope my story will encourage others to step into their dream. I am in my 50s and created a whole new career. If I can do it, so can you! Cinflynnart is a story of hope, dreams, courage, and passion. I’m thrilled with the success of my work so far. I’m excited for the future!
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, I am a native of a native of Atlanta so this city is my own and I love our state! We have so much to do. Hmmmm…. If a friend was to visit Atlanta for a week, I’d want them to visit the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and see the stunning blooms and sparkling glass skyscrapers in the backdrop. Our garden is fantastic. We have the beauty of nature in the very center of our city. The garden sky walk is amazing. The ability to walk through the trees as if you are in a treehouse gives you a sense of being one with nature you cannot feel while on the ground. I’d also encourage a visitor to our city to go to the High Museum of Art. We have a lovely museum with white soaring walls and a walkway that circles the rotunda leading to all types of art from classical paintings, marble sculptures to folk art. I’m a bit of a foodie so I’d encourage a visitor to eat! A lot! We have some southern staples like bbq and fine dining that can rival any city. We have neighborhoods all over the city with restaurants and eateries that make the mouth water! Some of my favorites are Doc Cheys in the Morningside/Virginia Highlands area, Varuni Napoli near the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Brick Store Pub in Decatur( check out the bar upstairs) Citizen Soul in Alpharetta, Little Alleys Steakhouse in Roswell, 1910 Public House in Lilburn and for ice cream you can’t beat Jeni’s found all over the city. We also have a fun watering hole called Oak Street Bottle Shop in Roswell. Check them out on a Friday night for live music! Also, I’d want a friend to take a day trip to the wineries of North Georgia Mountains. We have several wineries in our mountain area. My husband and I love Chateau Meichtry, Cavender Creek, and Montaluce wineries. I’d take my friends to Athens, Ga about an hour outside of Atlanta. Athens is my heart and the home of the University of Georgia. Football Saturdays are a blast but there is so much to do in the Classic City from visiting the Georgia Art Museum, State Botanical Garden, catching a show at the Classic Center, to listening to music at the Georgia Theater. Trappeze Pub is one of the best places to eat in Athens. Do not miss their fries!!!
Of course, I’d want my friend to visit me at The Roswell Square Gallery to see many artists at work, including myself, and see some truly remarkable paintings. We are across the street from a beautiful park and multiple restaurants and a cool tap house are nearby.
Atlanta is full of fun things to from sporting events to a childrens museum and an aquarium to hikes in and around the city. The Chattahoochee river provides a place of beauty, exercise and refreshment. You can dress up and spend a night in the city or you can throw on a T-shirt and leggings and hike on the many gorgeous trails. We are blessed to have so much in our city.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shoutout to my family. . I’m blessed to be married to Patrick for over 30 years. He has been my biggest supporter. I was an art teacher and when I felt lead to leave teaching and pursue painting, he said, “Absolutely! You can do this!” He encouraged me in the training and classes I took and when I began to sell my work, he cheered me on! Patrick even looks at my work in process and helps me with critiques. He is a great photographer so he has an eye for color and composition. It is a great help to have someone else see your work! My daughter, Savannah, also has been a cheerleader. She is in digital marketing so she has an eye for color, placement, composition, and detail. She has helped me with my website, my social media posts and encourages me to step out of my comfort zone. She and my son in love, Nick, have several of my paintings in their home and have shown my work to others. It is a joy to have their support and encouragement. I am thankful!
Website: www.cinflynnart.com
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/cinflynnart
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/cinflynnart
Other: Cinflynnart@gmail.com