Studio B Artist’s Statement/Questions Answered by Cindy Bilbao Website: CindyJoyStudio.com
I began my art career when I sat on my Grandfather’s lap while he taught me how to draw. I was so young
I could barely write yet, and yet I can remember this day, it is my earliest memory. I’ve been creating
things ever since and in fact, the very first piece of art I ever sold was an art project I had done in
elementary school.
I was inspired and influenced by nature even as a child. Back then I had in my back yard a thick patch of
woods containing a peaceful, trickling stream that fed into a small pond. This stream in the woods was my
special spot. As a youngster I would just gravitate to that spot without really understanding why. Now I
realize that what I felt there was the peacefulness. It’s that small connection to water I had as a young
child that’s always stayed with me. I seem to really love being around water: the ocean, marshes, lakes,
streams, bays and even my swimming pool! Water is a huge inspiration and often shows up as a subject in
my work.
Favorite themes of my work include nature in general and more specifically I paint shorescapes and beach
scenes. My motto is “watery places are my inspiration”. That about sums it up for me and what inspires
me.
I see my “mission” as an artist as bringing a bit of peacefulness to viewers of my work. One of my
favorite quotes is from Pablo Picasso that says “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”.
I truly believe that viewing art can transport you to another place and it can influence your mood. I
personally feel most at peace when I’m at the coast, near the ocean and this is why I paint this subject so
much. I’d love for viewers of my art to feel that tranquility as well.
To understand my technique or style, you need to know that I prefer to paint semi-abstract and abstract as
opposed to representational in style because I feel like I can capture more emotion and atmosphere within
the paintings. In acrylics I love to add many layers while scraping back to reveal hints of older layers. I
feel that this technique gives texture to my paintings and adds some drama. I also love working with
watercolors, again in a more abstract looser style. I just started a new watercolor series that I call
“whimsical” because they are loose and fun.
I participated in the Berks Art Alliance Member Show in Spring of 2022 which was my first art show
ever, and was proud to have won an Honorable Mention award. I haven’t done any art shows since then
but I hope to do more in the future.
As far as media attention, I am going to be included in an upcoming “Artist Spotlight” feature in
Beachcombing Magazine later on this year because my work is nautical in subject matter. My favorite
subject to paint is the beach!
What I love best is being at the shore and witnessing the sunsets and/or the sunrises. I have a favorite
beach that’s special because it’s where the tide rolls into a cove and in the distance a lighthouse stands,
waiting to turn on at twilight and around the lighthouse the sky turns colors. In general I love the open
expanse of sky and water found on the coast and this often finds it’s way onto my canvases.
What saddens me the most is that there is so much beauty outside in nature that gets overlooked and un-
noticed so often. Either because it’s so simple or mundane that people don’t take notice or because people
are so busy or preoccupied. I can’t imagine not taking the time to appreciate a gorgeous sunset or rainbow.
I believe that nature can be a terrific antidote to our mental health which takes a beating during our day-
to-day life. That’s one of the reasons I paint landscapes. I like to bring attention to things found by the
ocean, like for instance the dune grasses. I love dune grasses and if you spend a quiet minute just
watching them sway in the sand you can’t help but feel a bit more relaxed.
What I want to learn is how to improve my art and perhaps learn to use more mediums eventually. I’d also
love to learn more about the business end of selling art. It’s sometimes difficult for artists, myself
included, to get out there after making the art and then try to talk about it and show it.
What I’d like you to know and remember most about my work is how much I love nature and that I
believe profoundly that being in nature is healthy for us. There’s also the advantage that what we love we
tend to protect. I applaud John F. Kennedy for establishing the Cape Cod National Seashore in 1961.
Knowing that a portion of Cape Cod will never be built upon is comforting to me because it is so
beautiful. If my art can remind people of the beauty in nature and perhaps provide a bit of nature’s
serenity to viewers of my art I’d be extremely happy. Mission accomplished!
