About the Artist

Cynthia Ray, an artist and professional art consultant for residential, business and corporate clients has vast experience in business as an art consultant, arts educator, lecturer, graphic designer, and fine art gallery consulting and marketing. As a fine artist, Cynthia's paintings are in public and private collections in Richmond, VA, Northern Virginia, Tidewater, VA, Washington D.C. and throughout the United States and Europe. Cynthia (Cyn) holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Masters in Art and Art Education from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Cyn has been featured in articles in Southern Style Magazine, Virginia Woman Magazine,The Progress Index, The Richmond Times-Dispatch, “Habitat,” and Inside Business, The Alexandria Gazette, The Mathews-Gloucester Gazette and The Washington Post as well as on ABC's Channel 8, “The Camera’s Eye”. In 1989, Cyn, as a woman business owner, opened Art & Graphic Studio in Richmond, VA, marketing art and design services to individuals, small business and corporate clients. In 1994, Cyn expanded the marketing of her business as an Art Consultant for home and business interiors.

Since 2003, Cynthia has lived in Alexandria, VA. She is the mother of two sons. As a Grandmother of six, she now encourages these young artists. She is forever mindful of the influence of her Grandfather, a fine and commercial artist who as an alumnus of the Corcoran School of Art who became one of the Washington areas most prominent commercial painters. He was a true mentor, when at the age of 4, he gave her first easel and paints and painted her portrait. She is surrounded by her Grandfather's masterful oil paintings in her home and has wonderful memories of sailing with him on the Chesapeake Bay. Her Grandfather's influence is ever present through this rich legacy. This passionate spirit shows in her art.

Following her dream, Cyn lived for many years in Mathews County, VA; a lovely village community surrounded by creeks, rivers, and the tidal waters and beaches of the Chesapeake Bay.  Living on the head waters of Pepper Creek continued to be a joy complete. Her home studio was filled with the light of each new day. Viewing the southeastern sky, the marsh grasses, animals and birds and natures beauty bring her inspiration to her heart. Coming full circle from her rural beginnings to this rural life once more, Cynthia was truly at "home". As Cyn shares with her family, friends and clients, "This time of life brings to mind Beatrix Potter, one of my very favorite woman artist and author. And, cutting the fields of grass is fun." Since returning permanently to Alexandria, Virginia she has become active in arts throughout the area. Her new light filled studio is atop a lovely condo, it offers a magnificent view of  Holmes Run Creek, Old Town Alexandria and the magnificent ever moving clouds.

Cyn says, "I am so blessed to have the gifts to make art. My hope is that my paintings will enrich your life as it does mine in creating them. And, that my patrons will have a smile in their heart when they look at my art whether on exhibit or on their walls."

PROFESSIONAL/ARTS ORGANIZATIONS
National League of American Pen Women, Arts and Letters (NLAPW)
Art League of Alexandria, Torpedo Factory, Alexandria, VA
Del Ray Artisans Association, Alexandria, VA
Mathews Art Group, Board of Directors, Mathews, VA
Chesapeake Bay Gallery and Arts School, Mathews, VA
Miller Fine Ltd. Art Consulting, Alexandria, VA
Show of Hands Gallery, Alexandria, VA
Village Art Gallery, Gloucester, VA
Visitors Center, Mathews, VA

Falls Church Art Gallery, Falls Church, VA

AWARDS/HONORS
Award-winning participation in over 150 Juried Shows in Virginia and East Coast, numerous awards
National Award winner from the National League of American Pen Women, Washington D.C., gallery exhibition, Lincoln Center, NY
Women’s Business Enterprise Certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Awarded National Association of Women Business Owners, (NAWBO), Member of the Year 1999, The Enterprising Women of Excellence Award NAWBO and Verizon, Richmond, VA

ONE-MAN SHOWS/RECENT EXHIBITIONS
Womens Caucus for the Arts, Shockoe Bottom Arts Center, Richmond, VA, The Henry Clay Inn Gallery, Ashland, VA, The Petersburg Art League, Petersburg, VA, The Twentieth Century Gallery, Williamsburg, VA, Anita Noe Studio Gallery, Ashland, VA, The Crossroads Art Gallery, Richmond, VA, 6th Street Market Place Gallery, Richmond, VA, The Greenhouse, Alexandria, VA, Mathews Art Gallery, Morning Glory Gallery, Gloucester, VA,  Chesapeake Bay Gallery,"What Beauty Means To Me", Mathews, VA, Delray Artisans Gallery, Show of Hands Gallery, City Hall, Alexandria, VA, Twice Told Tales, Gloucester, VA, Artist Porch Show, James Store, VA, Art Speaks On the Bay, Bay School Art Gallery, Durant Center, Alexandria, VA, Falls Church Art Gallery, Falls Church, VA

Other ART AWARDS
Alexandria Commission for the Arts, "Festival for the Arts", Monetary Award for Painting "Town Spirit in White" 2006, Juror, School of Fine Arts, University of Maryland 1st place Monetary Award, Mathews Art Festival, Honorable Mention 2007-2010, Juror, Twentieth Century Gallery, Williamsburg, VA, 2009 1st Place Mathew's Market Day, Juror, VCU Faculty Member Awards, Bay School Art Gallery, "Art Speaks On The Bay" Honorable Mentions and Monetary Awards, Mathews, VA.