cynara shelton
For the love of plein air
Cynara Shelton, a Mississippi native, has lived and worked in Texas for over 25 years. A few years ago, she stepped outside the studio to pursue a long-held desire to paint en plein air, following in the tradition of artists who work directly from life. Her travels have taken her across the country, allowing her to capture each location as she experiences it.
She believes the inspiration, insight, and lived experience gained outdoors far outweigh the challenges of working in the elements. “I’m often asked, ‘Is it worth it?’ Yes, most of the time. And there’s always a new story with every painting.”
When extreme weather drives her back into the studio during peak seasons, she experiments with abstracts and explores new ways of seeing. “You spend the first half of your art journey trying to gain control; the second half you spend trying to let go and loosen up!”