Born in Saigon, Vietnam, Cynthia' family settled in the Philippines shortly after her birth.  She remained in the Philippines for the majority of her childhood.  Cynthia's father, a painter, included artistic values in Cynthia's upbringing that caused her to demonstrate an interest in art at a very young age. He would work at night on his paintings while she provided him company at his easel. In the early 1980s, she left the Philippines with her family and migrated to the great State of Louisiana.

Once her family settled in Louisiana, Cynthia quickly adapted to the ebb and flow of living in the southern United States. She took hold of the opportunity to attend the University of Southwest Louisiana. In 1995, she completed her coursework at the University and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts, with a concentration in Advertising Design. As a student, her designs earned her many awards.  After college, she continued to pursue her artistic passion by studying oil painting under Carl Groh and Greg Kreutz.

In September 2001, Cynthia made San Diego, California her permanent home. During the summer of 2004, she completed many courses at The Florence Academy of Art. Founded in 1991 by Daniel Graves, the Academy provided her with instruction in classical drawing and painting based on the philosophy of returning to discipline in art, to principles of beauty, and to the examination of the natural world and the Old Masters.

Although, Cynthia's style was born from the simplicity and soulfulness of southern living, she has always maintained a profound enthusiasm and respect for the old masters. Inspired by her time spent in Europe, she set to work on various commissions that had been waiting for her return to the United States.   Currently, she works in her studio on Market Street in downtown San Diego preparing for future exhibitions and commissions.

THE MEANING OF ART

Cynthia hesitates to express herself verbally, preferring to use her paintings as a means of communicating her thoughts and feelings. She is passionate about expressing herself in this way and doing so gives her a comfort and peace that can be seen in her work. She could be anywhere in the world, but if she is painting at her easel, then she feels at home. In the past, she produced works of art that demonstrate the fusion of the innocent and the provocative. Her most recognizable portraits nearly pop off the canvas with an explosion of lips in juicy colors and vibrant hues. The jazz and blues musicians that she honors with her brush and palette radiate the energy and the emotion of the music that they play. Her desire to express herself through art challenges her. Yet, the more difficult her task becomes, the more she appreciates the challenge. To her, art is about endurance and faith, and the challenge is crucial. Because she puts so much mental and emotional exertion into each painting, she is sensitive and almost materialistic towards her artwork. Yet, she realizes that she still has much to learn, both in life and art. As the old adage goes, learning is a lifelong process, and Cynthia welcomes any new wisdom with open arms.