Cynthia Young

So Close, So Far: Contemporary Landscape Oil Painting on Canvas

2026

I am interested in the nature of color and how each person experiences it differently. Light and atmosphere create an ever changing surrounding that is a source of constant inspiration. The absence or presence of light determine what the eye sees. Color changes all the time depending on light and the viewer. This is how we get a sunrise that casts orange on everything it touches. The leaves of a tree are not always green. The water of the sea, not always blue. Every element is painted anew every day and every night. Painting gives me the ability to conjure up space and mood and share that experience without speaking a single word. Cynthia was born in Oklahoma and learned basics of creating in her grandmother’s kitchen. She went on to attend Abilene Christian University in west Texas where she received a BFA in painting and printmaking. Following college, Cynthia went on to receive training at Flatbed Press in Austin, TX as a production assistant for fine art. She now lives and paints in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her work explores the drama found in nature. Inspired by moments of mystery and grandeur created by the sea and sky, she paints those fleeting moments when the atmosphere creates magic. Education Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting, Printmaking and 2-Dimensional Design ACU, Abilene TX Production Intern Flatbed Press, Austin TX Awards Selected Artist for State of New Mexico Art in Public Places 2026 Cover Artist for NM Magazine 2024 Featured artist for Saatchi Magazine 2019 NAAP Art Competition 2011- Honorable mention Juanita Pollard Art Scholarship 2009 Publication in the Shinnery Review Art magazine Solo & Group Shows 2026 Nature, Remembered- Martha Mans, Katey Berry and Cynthia Young, Owen Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM 2025 Confluence- Katey Berry and Cynthia Young, Owen Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM 2023 Found In Nature Three Person Exhibition, Owen Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM For the Love of Art Group Exhibition, Owen Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM 2022 Spring Preview, Owen Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM 2020 Persistence II Group Exhibition, D’Art Center, Norfolk VA The New Vanguard Group Exhibition, Keep Contemporary, Santa Fe NM 2019 The New Vanguard Group Exhibition, Keep Contemporary, Santa Fe NM Size Doesn’t Matter small works Exhibition, Owen Contemporary, Santa Fe NM Zoo Art Benefit Group Show , Jones Gallery, Kansas City, MO 2018 Size Doesn’t Matter small works Exhibition, Owen Contemporary, Santa Fe NM 2017 Hyper Real Visuals Sci Fi show, Austin TX 2016 Free the Figure group show VJD Gallery, Austin TX 2014 Exhibition East Austin Studio Tour, Austin TX Group Show Canopy Studios, Austin TX 2013 Exhibition “Faux Feeling Fulfills” LPM Gallery, Austin TX 2012 Retrospective show Flatbed Press collected prints, Austin TX 2010 Fusion Solo Show Monks Gallery Abilene, TX Center for Contemporary Arts Intercollegiate Competition, Abilene TX Imprint Group exhibition Cockrell Gallery, Abilene TX 2009 Center for Contemporary Arts Intercollegiate Competition, Abilene TX ACU Printmaking Group Show, Abilene TX 32nd Annual ACU Student Competition, Abilene TX