Cynthia is a contemporary artist and
teacher focusing on beadwork as her medium. She specializes in
peyote stitch and off-loom weaving techniques with an emphasis
on developing sculptural unsupported shapes in beadwork.
Her work has been exhibited in
national and international shows and has appeared in Nicolette
Stessin's Beaded Amulet Purses, Carol Taylor's Creative
Bead Jewelry, and Carol Wilcox Wells' Creative Bead Weaving:
A Contemporary Guide to Classic Off-Loom Stitches.
(photo of Cynthia by Mark Rutledge)
"My attraction to 3-dimensional
shapes has created a fascination for me throughout my life and
has fueled my creative spirit. My choice of beadwork as a primary
medium has followed that same fascination. As my beadwork has
evolved, my work seems to always lean towards the building of
shapes and forms that are functional and wearable.
The choice to use beads as my
medium was primarily influenced by my love of color. Beads reflect
and absorb light, hold shape and dimension, and in so doing,
offer chameleon-like qualities. It is not always the end result
that is the most important to me, however. The process of working
with beads and thread is meditative and calming, which allows
time for reflection. Engineering each piece is always a challenge
that thrills me, as well as giving me the power to make the decisions
that need to be made for each piece. The more I experience the
wonderful qualities of beadwork, the more I realize my relationship
with beads will always be one of learning, experiencing and sharing.
The decision to teach grew from
my personal desire to share my love of beads and all the wonderful
things that can be created with them. The commitment that I have
to teaching stems from my desire to share the knowledge I have
gained while developing my own skills in this medium. Ultimately,
my mission is to help to keep this art form alive and well."
Cynthia Rutledge
P.S. The fantastic photos of
my work were taken by Mark Rutledge and Melinda Holden.
.
