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Artist Statement
My paintings explore connections – connections with nature, connections with memory, and connections with others. I draw from the environment that I have experienced, including the mangroves and banyans of Florida and the woods of Maryland. Often ancient spiritual symbols or anthropomorphic moments emerge tying back to ancestral spirituality in nature, as well as how nature reflects humanity. There is a universality of experience of being in nature that is evoked in my work. As current science has proven, we are all connected – including the trees, vegetation, and environment. Our survival depends on our understanding of this connection.
Gesture and movement are important in my paintings to show how nature and human movement align. For example, mangroves may be represented with a pink palette to connect to internal human circulatory or digestive systems. The movement of tree branches may invoke joy, love, or modesty through anthropomorphic gesture or analogy. References to symbols may also be present like infinity, Celtic symbols like Awen, and the golden mean. So much of human experience and understanding ties back to our experience with nature.
My approach to painting derives from the tradition of Cezanne, with planes of color, like that of Fairfield Porter. However, I layer in linear work that emphasizes gesture as well as the auric glow around objects to enhance their power, as well as to balance color and weight in the composition. I also work with the organic materials of oil paint and a walnut oil-based medium. These materials have a connection to nature, and a long history of use by humans. Oil paintings breathe and have a glowing life to me, unlike acrylic or plastic materials.
My current work is focused on landscape, but my work since the early 1990’s has always been figurative and has also included images of people that similarly reflect their auric glow and gesture. The movement of the figure including arms, legs, and gaze all informs the depiction of the personality of the person. This approach is also employed in my landscapes – where I look for the personality of the tree or vegetation to engage the audience.
BIO
Cindy Rivarde's work focuses on connections in response to the natural environment. She was born in Toledo, Ohio and lives in Columbia, Maryland. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received a B.A. in art and dramatic art in 1988 and received the Paul and Elizabeth Green Award for women in theater. She also received her M.F.A. in painting from Towson University in 2004. In her early career, she was a scenic artist at Hartford Stage, PlayMakers Theatre, Long Wharf Theater, and Baltimore Center Stage. She has exhibited across the country and had several one person shows. Her paintings are in numerous private collections. Ms. Rivarde is also an economic development professional who builds communities with a strong talent for placemaking and engagement. She has overseen numerous cultural programming for cities including public art programs, cultural grants programs, presentation of musical series, film location services, as well as operation of cultural assets. She guest lectures on the economic impact of the arts at Georgetown.
My paintings explore connections – connections with nature, connections with memory, and connections with others. I draw from the environment that I have experienced, including the mangroves and banyans of Florida and the woods of Maryland. Often ancient spiritual symbols or anthropomorphic moments emerge tying back to ancestral spirituality in nature, as well as how nature reflects humanity. There is a universality of experience of being in nature that is evoked in my work. As current science has proven, we are all connected – including the trees, vegetation, and environment. Our survival depends on our understanding of this connection.
Gesture and movement are important in my paintings to show how nature and human movement align. For example, mangroves may be represented with a pink palette to connect to internal human circulatory or digestive systems. The movement of tree branches may invoke joy, love, or modesty through anthropomorphic gesture or analogy. References to symbols may also be present like infinity, Celtic symbols like Awen, and the golden mean. So much of human experience and understanding ties back to our experience with nature.
My approach to painting derives from the tradition of Cezanne, with planes of color, like that of Fairfield Porter. However, I layer in linear work that emphasizes gesture as well as the auric glow around objects to enhance their power, as well as to balance color and weight in the composition. I also work with the organic materials of oil paint and a walnut oil-based medium. These materials have a connection to nature, and a long history of use by humans. Oil paintings breathe and have a glowing life to me, unlike acrylic or plastic materials.
My current work is focused on landscape, but my work since the early 1990’s has always been figurative and has also included images of people that similarly reflect their auric glow and gesture. The movement of the figure including arms, legs, and gaze all informs the depiction of the personality of the person. This approach is also employed in my landscapes – where I look for the personality of the tree or vegetation to engage the audience.
BIO
Cindy Rivarde's work focuses on connections in response to the natural environment. She was born in Toledo, Ohio and lives in Columbia, Maryland. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received a B.A. in art and dramatic art in 1988 and received the Paul and Elizabeth Green Award for women in theater. She also received her M.F.A. in painting from Towson University in 2004. In her early career, she was a scenic artist at Hartford Stage, PlayMakers Theatre, Long Wharf Theater, and Baltimore Center Stage. She has exhibited across the country and had several one person shows. Her paintings are in numerous private collections. Ms. Rivarde is also an economic development professional who builds communities with a strong talent for placemaking and engagement. She has overseen numerous cultural programming for cities including public art programs, cultural grants programs, presentation of musical series, film location services, as well as operation of cultural assets. She guest lectures on the economic impact of the arts at Georgetown.