May Issue 2000
Nina Liu and Friends in Charleston, SC, Features Works by Cynthia Tollefsrud
The Nina Liu and Friends gallery in Charleston, SC, is featuring an exhibition of recent paintings by Cynthia Tollefsrud. The exhibit begins on May 5 and continues through June 15.
Tollefsrud was born in Oxnard, CA, on a naval base. Before her first birthday, her family moved to Minnesota. The family moved six more times before ending their travels in Omaha, NE, where they stayed. She now lives and works in Knoxville, TN.
Tollefsrud attended the Studio Academy School of Advertising Art and Design in Omaha, NE. She did her undergraduate studies at Wayne State College in Wayne, NE, and after moving to Tennessee, attended selected workshops at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
Tollefsrud has exhibited her work extensively throughout Tennessee and in Florida, South Carolina, and Wyoming.
In response to a question about her work, Tollefsrud give the following statements, "At the age of ten I was given a John Gnagy Drawing Set for my birthday. Charcoal and kneaded erasers became my companions. I was later introduced to Paint by Numbers and I realized a desire to be surrounded by the scent of linseed oil and turpentine. These favored friends were put aside for a number of years due to some really stupid decisions in my life. However, in 1996 everything changed and my life as a painter began."
"My paintings begin with a sketch. The inspiration is usually - but not always - an old sepia-toned photograph from the early 1900's. There was an innocence and simplicity in those photographs that you don't see today. I will begin the sketch with the main figure as the focal point. I then put the photograph away and let my mind wander. I can usually "see" what I want to do with the painting at that point. I have an immense file of various things I've photographed such as animals, plants, landscapes, buildings. These images will often make their way into the painting. Imaginary things too, such as the rocket ships which are inspired by the memories I have from my childhood of the Apollo missions. Farm animals often find their way into my paintings because of the summer days I spent in my childhood in the country visiting my grandparents. The cows amused me. The chickens scared me to death."
"My days are spent at the easel with my cat Tiger sleeping in a chair nearby. If I were to describe my paintings I would use the words colorful, whimsical, and quirky."
For further information check our SC Commercial Gallery listings or call the gallery at 843/722-2724.
Mailing Address: Carolina Arts, P.O. Drawer
427, Bonneau, SC 29431
Telephone, Answering Machine and FAX: 843/825-3408
E-Mail: carolinart@aol.com
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