I spent my earliest years in a Catholic orphan asylum in Los Angeles California, established by the Daughters of Charity, hence many of my pieces are religion themed with a twist. Read more about the orphanage below.
With over twenty years experience as a fine artist and photographer, working out of San Diego's Gaslamp District, I've also managed over twenty artists in the Broker's Building. Organizing monthly receptions and art exhibitions was a large part of my lifestyle.
For my photography, I use both a digital and 35mm film camera. My driving influence is Cindy Sherman. Black and white noir portraiture and narratives are my specialties. I prefer darkroom work but I also use Photoshop.
The inspiration for my paintings, photography, hat making and mixed media pieces is drawn from well known masterworks, historical religion themed art, literature and film.
I also work in plaster, forming female torso body casts (body masks) from live models, some are full term expectant mothers. I use these plaster castings as my canvases.
My current work is hand painted figurative cloth sculpture.
I paint on stuffed ten ounce cotton artist's canvas, stitched from my simplistically designed patterns. Using acrylics and Inktense pencils... I combine traditional fine art painting techniques with a basic three dimensional folk art form. That juxtaposition of elements creates a Lowbrow style sculpture. Each figure takes approximately thirty hours to complete and I do research on each character. These figures are three dimensional fine art wall hangings.
I have exhibited in California, Idaho and New York galleries and have won awards for my work.
I have illustrated two published books, My Inner Child A Storybook for Grown-ups and My Inner Child A Friend Forever. Amazon.com
My artwork is included in Roger G Taylor's newest book, MARILYN IN ART. Amazon.com
I work in a smoke and pet free studio in Arizona.
In January 1856, five Daughters of Charity at the request of Bishop Amat and local businessmen arrived at the Pueblo of Los Angeles to open an orphanage for abandoned children living in the streets. The location of the city’s first orphanage was the same site where Los Angeles’ Union Station now stands. The orphanage was officially named the Los Angeles Orphan Asylum.
By 1891 a new majestic building in Boyle Heights was erected to house the area’s growing orphan population. Thousands of youngsters were cared for at this location until damage from earthquakes and freeway expansion forced its close 62 years later.
In 1953 a location in Rosemead was dedicated and opened under the name of Maryvale. Currently Maryvale is a residential facility licensed to serve 65 girls ages 6 through 17 who have been deeply wounded by abuse. Removed from their homes by the Department of Children and Family Services and the Probation Department they are placed at Maryvale where they are nurtured by a safe, loving and therapeutic staff and the calming sanctuary of the 15 acre park-like campus. The goal is to stabilize their lives so that they can develop a sense of dignity and self-esteem.
Maryvale is the first and oldest agency caring for Los Angeles’ children in need. It is a commitment the Daughters of Charity have been keeping for over 150 years.
Cynthia Gersten Neff joined Fine Art America on July 23rd, 2007.
