Radiant Horizon Has A New Home In Columbia!

Radiant Horizon in Columbia

Radiant Horizon 30"x30" Abstract Oil Painting

I'm so grateful and excited that Radiant Horizon has a new home all the way in Columbia!

I'm So Honored That Three of My Paintings Are Giving Hope

Blessing Moon Abstract Oil Painting 24"x24"

City Rising Abstract Oil Painting 30"x40"

Never Look Back Abstract Oil Painting 24"x24"

I just can't tell you how touched I was when I found out that these 3 paintings I sold recently to a sweet man in the UK were bought as a gift for his wife to give her hope
as she battles cancer.

3 paintings now in the permanent art collection at CU Boulder!

My paintings on permanent display at CU Boulder

The newly remodeled Arts & Sciences building

Truth, Soul, Desire 40×40 Abstract Oil and Gold Leaf

I'm excited to announce that three of my oil paintings were recently purchased for permanent display in the Ketchum Arts & Sciences building at CU Boulder! The building was reopened this spring after an extensive  remodel. I hope the students and faculty at CU will enjoy and be inspired every day by Forgotten Spring, Parade of Promises, and Truth, Soul, Desire!

Parade of Promises 30×48 Abstract Oil Painting

Forgotten Spring 24×30 Abstract Oil Painting

Featured Abstract Oil Painting: Secret In The Sky

Secret in the Sky is about gaining perspective on your life.

When I started this painting, at first I couldn't connect to it. I felt too close to really see it, so I couldn't finish it. Instead, I turned it to face the wall.

A month later, when I finally turned it around and looked at it again, I started to see how the circles and negative space played off of each other.

It looked a little planetary, a little otherworldly. Like a photo of space. So I added trails of light around the circles to harmonize them and bring them into a balanced coexistence.

The “secret” in the title is about gaining perspective on your life. Sometimes, when you look up into the sky, it makes you realize that your troubles aren't really all that big in the vastness of the universe.

Every once in a while, we all need to get that kind of perspective. It makes all the difference.

 

Secret In The Sky is painted in oil with gold leaf on a 20" round canvas.

You can see Secret In The Sky, and other new paintings on my website, cynthialigeros.com. Thanks so much for looking! 

The New Home for my Oil Painting Resolution

I absolutely love it when one of my collectors shares a photo of my artwork hanging in their home! I am thrilled to see how my oil painting Resolution complements this amazing decor! 

Knowing that somebody truly appreciates my art makes it all worthwhile. It's wonderful to see my work displayed with pride.

Resolution is a 30"x40" oil painting on canvas.

I also have many other abstract oil paintings on my website, cynthialigeros.com, and on UGallery.com. Feel free to contact me for information about art prints or commissions.

Featured Abstract Oil Painting: Autumn's Hollow

Autumn's Hollow was inspired by a rainy night-time drive in late summer. The glow of tail lights on the windshield reminded me of a bold skyline of autumn leaves.

It made me want to experiment with the idea of circles changing colors, to represent the transitions of life -- from one time in your life to another, from one season into the next.

Autumn's Hollow is 12" x 12" and is currently available at Ugallery.com.

I also have other abstract oil paintings for sale on my website, cynthialigeros.com, and on UGallery.com. Thanks so much for looking!

2013 Art for Life at Abend Gallery

Primordial IV oil on canvas
24"x24" by Cynthia Ligeros

I'm super excited to be a part of the Art for Life silent art auction benefiting Project Angel Heart again this year.  My abstract oil painting "Primordial IV" will be up for bidding along with more than 100 works of fine art created by local and nationally recognized artists.

It's an exciting way to help Project Angel Heart provide meals for those coping with life-threatening illness.

The auction goes from 6-10pm at 2260 E. Colfax Ave Friday May 17th. To purchase tickets visit www.projectangelheart.org.

Tickets are $65 for one or $120 for two. You can enjoy marvelous cocktails, wine and delicious hors d'oeuvres and dessert all while bidding on fine art at Abend Gallery.

Hope to see you there!

Do you have a favorite charity that you like to support? Tell me in the comments.

One Crazy Way to Build Art Into Your Home (You Won't Believe It!)

This 20-foot-wide mural is just a small detail
of my abstract oil painting Luminous Night,
printed on recycled concrete tiles.

Art doesn't have to be something you hang on the wall. It can actually be the wall.

This week, my oil painting Luminous Night was turned into a 20-foot-wide mural, printed on concrete tiles made of recycled glass, using a $6 million printer.

The mural is on display in a tile showroom here in Denver.

This is just one example of the interesting ways you can incorporate art into your life today.

So be brave, think outside the box. Look for new ways that you can build art into your everyday life.

Don't be afraid to experiment!

Featured Abstract Oil Painting: Bare Winter

Bare Winter 24"x24" Oil on Canvas

I created “Bare Winter” with the subdued colors of an early winter sunrise in mind. My original inspiration was purely visual: the contrast of the cold winter night giving way to the first light of the sun.

Then I came to see that the warm light breaking through the cold was powerfully symbolic. In his 'Ode to the West Wind', Shelley wrote:

“If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?”

For me, the sun on winter snow is a metaphor for healing. No matter where you are in life, there’s always hope. Sooner or later, the winter will thaw and the spring will come.

Bare Winter is 24" x 24" and is currently available from my studio with free shipping at cynthialigeros.com.

I also have other abstract oil paintings for sale on my website, cynthialigeros.com, and on UGallery.com. Thanks so much for looking!

Featured Abstract Oil Painting: Long Night's Moon

Long Night's Moon 36"x36" Oil on Canvas

The magical light of the December moon, or the Long Night’s Moon, inspired me to create a painting of the same name. The full Long Night’s Moon appears near the winter solstice, the darkest time of year. This contrast between light and darkness makes the glow of moonlight especially poignant.

I was intrigued by the December midwinter moon because the long arc of the moon’s path above the horizon makes it the most visible moon of the year. To capture the feel of the brilliant moonlight reflecting off of the snow-covered city, I built up layers of paint with a palette knife to give the piece depth and luminosity.

Long Night's Moon is 36" x 36" and is currently available from my studio with free shipping at cynthialigeros.com.

I also have other abstract oil paintings for sale on my website, cynthialigeros.com, and on UGallery.com. Thanks so much for looking!

Tonight: Art for Life at Abend Gallery

August Gaze oil on canvas
24"x30" by Cynthia Ligeros

I'm excited to be a part of the Art for Life silent art auction benefiting Project Angel Heart again this year.  My piece titled "August Gaze" will be up for bidding along with more than 100 pieces of fine art created by local and nationally recognized artists.  It's a great way to help provide meals for those coping with life-threatening illness.

The auction goes from 6-10pm at 2260 E. Colfax Ave Friday August 24th. To purchase tickets visit www.projectangelheart.org.

Tickets are $65 for one or $120 for two. Enjoy marvelous cocktails, wine and delicious hors d'oeuvres and dessert while bidding on art at Abend Gallery.

Is it Modern Art? Abstract Art? Contemporary Art?

Silent Radiance
14 x 14
Oil and Gold Leaf on Canvas
Cynthia Ligeros

The lines between different art movements get blurry around the edges.  The definitions of modern art, abstract art and contemporary art can sometimes be a little confusing.  Technically, an "abstract" oil painting has no representational elements.  It's not a picture of any "thing" you can pick out.  Still, it's hard to look at a good painting and not see something in it.  The real question is: when you look at a painting, how do you feel? 

That's how you find a painting you love.  An abstract oil painting appeals to different people for different reasons.  You might see shapes and colors that remind you of a favorite place.  Or the composition of the painting might evoke an emotion for you, whether soothing or energizing or uplifting.  Whatever the reason, trust your personal taste and go with a painting that you love.

2012 Inspired Art Project

I'm excited to be a part of the Inspired Art Project again this year! This great event takes poems written by Denver's youth and asks local artists to create original works inspired by their words. 100% of the auction proceeds from the Inspired Art Project will support America SCORES Denver.

Thursday, April 12, 2012
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Artwork Network
878 Santa Fe Dr.
Denver, CO 80204

Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door, and can be purchased online. For more information, contact inspiredartdenver@gmail.com.

I painted an oil painting called Light Touches the World, inspired by the poem called Sunset, written by Laura M., age 9, from Eagleton Elementary:

The sunset
is day
like the
blooming stars
in the sky.

It is as big
as the entire
galaxy.

It is
yellow like a
banana.

It will make
you put a huge
grin on your
face.

But whenever
light touches
the world is
happiness.

I'm so excited to be featured in Professional Artist Magazine!

I can't believe I'm appearing in the February 2012 issue of Professional Artist Magazine!

It's such a huge honor, since I've read Professional Artist Magazine (formerly Art Calendar) for years. And now I'm in the Artist Spotlight section. The article features two of my paintings, along with my thoughts about how any artist can creatively grow by experimenting with painting abstracts. I also talk about what inspires my art and the things that drew me to paint abstracts in the first place.

The issue should be appearing on news stands now, or you can order a copy of Professional Artist Magazine here.

I'm so excited and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing magazine!

Refresh Body and Spirit With a Free Show at the Madden Art Museum

Wouldn't it be nice if you could find a lovely art museum conveniently located right in the DTC, especially with free admission? Now you can. The highly-acclaimed Madden Art Museum is located right behind Comfort Dental Amphitheater, and I'm proud to say that one of my pieces has been selected to show there!

My abstract oil painting Breath of Autumn will appear in the "This Is Colorado" art show at the Madden Art Museum this month. The show runs from January 12th to February 23rd. Admission is free Monday thru Friday from 9am - 5 pm, so check it out anytime.

It's a terrific show celebrating Colorado artists and the artwork inspired by our beautiful state.  I'm really excited to be a part of it!

The opening reception will be on January 13th from 4:30-8:30 pm, and all are invited. That means you! Also, the Mangia Bevi Cafe will be open during the event for dinner and refreshments, and I can tell you that they have delicious lattes and snacks.  Hope to see you there!

A Few of My Abstract Art Oil Painting Techniques

Ever wonder how an artist starts with a blank white canvas and transforms it into a beautiful oil painting?  I get a lot of questions about my oil painting techniques, because every artist works differently.  My method often involves building up my paint in layers, creating a texture that adds depth and character to my abstract art.  Sometimes, I'll dig down into the paint to expose deeper layers, showing you glimpses of the painting beneath.  Lately, I've started incorporating gold leaf in to the oil paint. Want to know more?  I'm always happy to talk about my art.  Just ask me!

Art for Life at Artwork Network

I'm pleased to be a part of the Art for Life silent art auction benefiting Project Angel Heart again this year.  My piece titled "Secret Moon" will be up for bidding along with more than 100 pieces of fine art created by local and nationally recognized artists.  It's a great way to help provide meals for those coping with life-threatening illness.

This year, Project Angel Heart will also introduce an emerging artist salon including artwork from students at Denver School of the Arts and Art Students League of Denver, juried by Denver artist Bill Starke.

The auction goes from 6-10pm at 878 Santa Fe Drive Friday September 9th. To purchase tickets visit www.projectangelheart.org.
Tickets are $65 for one or $120 for two. Enjoy marvelous cocktails, wine and delicious hors d'oeuvres and dessert while bidding on art at the Artwork Network in the Santa Fe Art District.

My oil painting is in the Denver Modernism Show!

I'm so excited that one of my latest pieces, Bare Winter, was jury-selected into the Denver Modernism show!

 

The show runs Aug. 26, 27 and 28.  Friday 5-10 pm, Saturday 10 am - 6 pm and  Sunday 10 am - 3 pm. It's at the National Western Complex Expo Hall in downtown Denver.

 

They'll have everything from a Miss Modernism Pageant, to a Vintage Car Show!

 

You can get tickets, and more information at denvermodernism.com.

Hope to see you there!

Penumbra Sunset now at Clayton Lane Fine Arts in Cherry Creek

Penumbra Sunset 24 x 24 oil on canvas

At the end of the day, just before sunset, all of the colors around us become magnified for a brilliant moment, just before they fade into the twilight.  The ancient astronomer Johannes Kepler created the word "penumbra" to describe the elusive edge of an eclipse, where the light struggles to escape being blotted out by the darkness.  When I painted Penumbra Sunset, I wanted to paint about holding onto the edge of the light, the edge of hope, keeping the beauty alive inside the darkness.

You can see Penumbra Sunset now at Clayton Lane Fine Arts in Cherry Creek.

Deepest Secret now at Clayton Lane Fine Arts in Cherry Creek

Deepest Secret 24 x 24

Deepest Secret was inspired by the e.e. cummings poem "I carry your heart."  I've always believed that you have to carry on in what you believe in, not only for yourself but for the people you love.  Sometimes, that can be incredibly hard -- but doing it defines who we are.  Deepest Secret evokes the cool blues and brilliant reds of a winter sunset, a time when the darkness and cold close in, and the crucial moments when we remember the people that inspire us to carry on.

You can see Deepest Secret now at Clayton Lane Fine Arts in Cherry Creek.