Getting lost in Oklahoma wasn’t hard for Cynthia Brown.
“My husband and I have been making art and been a part of the art scene in Tulsa since the ’90s,” Brown said. “We’d have all of these wonderful shows and 20 people would come. We felt lost and kind of hopeless as artists.”
Now, Brown’s work is well-received. Her latest exhibition, Lost in Oklahoma, features more than 30 paintings and will be showcased Monday through Nov. 15 at Oklahoma State Capitol’s East Gallery.
“It’s not really about my life as an artist today,” she said, “but it’s about remembering what it’s been like being an artist the past three decades in Oklahoma.”
Brown describes her time of loss as being caused by some of the conservative values in the state and its lack of art education as well as her self-doubt.
In the ’80s, she was a painter, but she transitioned into ceramics and was successful. She was an art teacher at Tulsa Public Schools for 10 years and quit in 2013 to create.
“That has allowed me to focus. Every day, I paint — every single day,” Brown said.
Once she focused her craft and started believing in her abilities, her art began to receive recognition. She said she was essentially “found” when she discovered her niche in abstract painting.
“I’m an intuitive painter, and I embed my paintings with prayers, hopes, dreams, and then I paint on those and totally let go of my fear,” Brown said.
Her paintings in Lost in Oklahoma are colorful mixed media pieces made with pastels, charcoal, graphite and acrylic paint. She also listens to vintage country when she works and said the flavor of the music comes through her creations.
“I listen to Bob Wills and George Jones, so I still listen to that some,” Brown said. “The title of that show, Lost in Oklahoma, is a Hank Williams III song, Hank Williams’ grandson.”
She is a born-and-raised Oklahoman who received her Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts in ceramics from the University of Tulsa. Her work is represented by the M.A. Doran Gallery in Tulsa and The William and Joseph Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
In 2014, she was selected as an artist in residence by the Mark Rothko Art Centre in Daugavpils, Latvia, where her work resides permanently in its collection.
“I’m found,” Brown said. “I’m definitely found. I’m full of gratitude every day for having success finally.”
Oklahoma State Capitol’s East Gallery is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It is located on the first floor of the Oklahoma State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Print Headline: Abstract finding, Cyntha Brown’s art is a prayer she sends out into the world.
