About the artist
CYRA COWAN
Chicago-born, Northern California-raised. Cyra felt a call to express herself artistically in the late 1970s. Cyra was driven to pick up a paintbrush to discover new life and love in the imagined worlds of her oil paintings.
Cyra has shown in many well-known galleries and festivals all over the United States. She has won numerous awards for her outstanding work and has taught painting for over 17 years.
ARTIST STATEMENT
When people began to express an interest in owning my paintings it started me on the path of entering Art and Wine festivals and began showing in Galleries.
Due to the flexibility of oils I find that my creations will often lead me in directions that I had not originally intended. My works all originate in my mind and I usually begin with a rough sketch on canvas. As I develop the idea I often see new visions through the mist of the layers of paint. These paintings have developed into some of my best works.
As I develop a painting, I establish an intimate connection. The piece becomes like a dear friend and will often keep me enchanted and working late into the night.
I strive to create a feeling that welcomes you in and allows you to enter into the painting. Creating atmosphere and depth is very important in creating my paintings.
My greatest challenge is to express the balance of the masculine power and strength with the feminine softness and beauty to create a subtle tension that adds the drama and feeling to my works.