City Street Scenes and Dripping Dots with New York Artist Cindy Shaoul
New York artist CIndy Shaoul’s work always brings a smile to my face. Her work is colorful and whimsical. Her reimagined scenes of a corner Paris cafe transport me, while her Hearts and Dripping Dots bring out the child in me. In this latest Artist Talk, Shaoul shares her own favorite work with us and tells us how she first came to find her talent.
How would you describe yourself as an artist and your work?
I have been called an abstract impressionist, and I think that rings true in many ways being that I adore impressionism but also have a calling to create abstractly. I love French impressionism and have studied it for many years, along with abstract expressionism. My favorite word to describe myself though as an artist is “impasto.” I derive all my inspiration from thick textured oil paints no matter which genre I am working on. The painting must contain thick layers of paint. Everything I paint is from my love of texture, color and vibrancy.
Do you remember the first time you realized you had a gift and wanted to pursue a career as an artist?
It was my second year in college and I was home for Thanksgiving break. I had the urge to get a huge canvas and paint. The next month in December I transferred back to NY to pursue painting. I never felt so sure of anything in my life.
What inspires you as an artist?
Everyday life. Intimate moments shared in a cozy and romantic way. Nostalgia. I love to capture these feelings on the canvas through all of my styles. I think the quintessential New York and Parisian scenes capture this the most.
Do you have a favorite piece that you've done?
I feel like I have to fall in love with each painting that I do just because when that feeling of love is reached, the painting can be complete. But if I have to choose a favorite, it would be “The Dutch.” It's one of my first plein air paintings done in Soho. This piece has a truly sentimental meaning for me. It was the start of a love for painting New York and all its magic and a time in my life where a new chapter opened to painting in public on the streets. A moment in time where it was just me and the New York that I love.
How do you think your work has evolved over the years?
When I first began to paint at 18, abstract is all that I did, because it was what I loved and all that I knew how to do. It wasn’t until I was in my early 20’s that I began to learn the impressionistic technique and a whole new world opened for me. But I feel like 15 years later, I’ve gone back to the abstract in many of my styles but implemented the techniques from the masters of impressionism and have ultimately tied the two together in many ways.
Are there any artists you look up to for inspiration?
There are quite a few. The first is my family. My Mother, Grandfather and all of my aunts and uncles are artists. That’s all I knew when I was little and all I looked up to, especially my mom. I would sit in her studio for hours as a kid just watching her paint and think to myself, “how does she do that!?” After studying, inspiration grew for French impressionists like Mary Cassatt, Monet and Edward Potthast. I also became widely inspired by Guy Wiggins after beginning plein air painting. Elaine de Kooning is also another huge inspiration for me.
What are you currently working on?
A large Dripping Dots, a Parisian street scene, and two Brunch scenes in New York: One is of Claudette on 5th Avenue and one of Cipriani in Soho.