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Home > Columns > Loud & Upfront in Columbus > Cyndi Bellerose: "WWJoanDo?"
Local artist displays empowering works
older brother's high school art homework for him when I was in 4th grade and
my parents were so proud of him for getting A's on his assignments. The word
got out that I was the one doing his work and surprisingly enough, my parents
were still pleased. I suppose they appreciated my brother's ability to delegate
tasks he knew somebody else could do better and they were just as proud of
me for doing a good job on high school assignments.
After graduating from high school I attended the Columbus College of Art &
Design and graduated in 1985 majoring in Illustration. My professional career
began as a graphic designer and architectural renderer at an Architectural firm
by day and by night I pursued my freelance career. In 1987 I left the firm and
started my own freelance business, Studio 49. In 2000 I began painting again
and my fine art career began.
dw: Do you show your work any where else?
Cyndi: Yes. I have been showing work in various group shows throughout
Columbus for several years. My more recent group exhibits have been through
two organizations I belong to: CAW (Creative Artists at Work) and MAW
(Mother Artists at Work). I've also exhibited in group shows at Junctionview
Studios. I've recently been selected as an exhibiting artist for an upcoming
event at Junctionview Studios: Por Vida III, a celebration of the Day of the
Dead. I'm finishing up my piece for that show right now.
dw: What mediums do you use?
Cyndi: My main two mediums are acrylic and collage. I also enjoy using glitter
in a way that is very controlled. My "What Would Joan Do?" exhibit includes
lots of found object art and this is something I plan to do more of. I'm always
looking for what other people may consider trash and transforming it into a
piece of art. Vintage "trash" is my favorite!
dw: What is your inspiration for Joan?
Cyndi: After several life altering experiences in my life I began to write and
doodle out my fears, sorrows and anger. Using my sharp wit while tapping into
my wicked sense of humor I began to turn the negatives that had been
haunting me into something positive and Joan was born. Joan has been my
therapy to overcome abuse and betrayal. Joan is my tool for empowerment.
dw: There is a definite "anti-man" theme to the Joan works, what would
you like people to know about that?
Cyndi: As I state in my artist statement; I don't hate men, I hate dicks. A dick is
somebody who harms you mentally and emotionally. Dicks are people who
belittle you and are deceitful. In my book, a dick can be either gender...it's an
equal opportunity epithet.
dw: Anything you would like to add?
Cyndi: My artist statement, that might give you some more insight.
'My Joan Series is a visual tale about a mid-century housewife seeking
strength to overcome her abusive relationship with her partner Dick. The
series began with Joan's fantastical box of Arm & Finger Bitching Soda...her
inner strength. With her A&F she was able to take the blinders off and see the
reality of her toxic relationship. From there she examined all her baggage and
began sorting through the emotions and memories that had haunted her for
too long. The WWJD exhibit is chapter 3...Joan is now getting Dick out of her
life by cleaning house and throwing out the trash. Chapter 4 comes next
where Joan will be exploring her new found independence and her sexuality
while preparing herself to enter the work force.' People can visit my on-line
portfolio site to view work and contact me at: www.coroflot.com/cyndioh
Photographs of Cyndi’s work may be impressive but you have got to see them
in person to get the full effect. The Ohio Art League is located at 1552 North
High Street in Columbus. Junctionview Studios is at 889 Williams Ave. in
Grandview Heights.
You can visit and even join Creative Artists at Work at CAWcolumbus.com
and Mother Artists at Work at motherartistsatwork.blogspot.com.
I think we have all been in a position at one time or another in our lives where
we identify with “Joan." I am anxiously awaiting Chapter 4 to see how Joan is
doing without Dick.
my parents were so proud of him for getting A's on his assignments. The word
got out that I was the one doing his work and surprisingly enough, my parents
were still pleased. I suppose they appreciated my brother's ability to delegate
tasks he knew somebody else could do better and they were just as proud of
me for doing a good job on high school assignments.
After graduating from high school I attended the Columbus College of Art &
Design and graduated in 1985 majoring in Illustration. My professional career
began as a graphic designer and architectural renderer at an Architectural firm
by day and by night I pursued my freelance career. In 1987 I left the firm and
started my own freelance business, Studio 49. In 2000 I began painting again
and my fine art career began.
dw: Do you show your work any where else?
Cyndi: Yes. I have been showing work in various group shows throughout
Columbus for several years. My more recent group exhibits have been through
two organizations I belong to: CAW (Creative Artists at Work) and MAW
(Mother Artists at Work). I've also exhibited in group shows at Junctionview
Studios. I've recently been selected as an exhibiting artist for an upcoming
event at Junctionview Studios: Por Vida III, a celebration of the Day of the
Dead. I'm finishing up my piece for that show right now.
dw: What mediums do you use?
Cyndi: My main two mediums are acrylic and collage. I also enjoy using glitter
in a way that is very controlled. My "What Would Joan Do?" exhibit includes
lots of found object art and this is something I plan to do more of. I'm always
looking for what other people may consider trash and transforming it into a
piece of art. Vintage "trash" is my favorite!
dw: What is your inspiration for Joan?
Cyndi: After several life altering experiences in my life I began to write and
doodle out my fears, sorrows and anger. Using my sharp wit while tapping into
my wicked sense of humor I began to turn the negatives that had been
haunting me into something positive and Joan was born. Joan has been my
therapy to overcome abuse and betrayal. Joan is my tool for empowerment.
dw: There is a definite "anti-man" theme to the Joan works, what would
you like people to know about that?
Cyndi: As I state in my artist statement; I don't hate men, I hate dicks. A dick is
somebody who harms you mentally and emotionally. Dicks are people who
belittle you and are deceitful. In my book, a dick can be either gender...it's an
equal opportunity epithet.
dw: Anything you would like to add?
Cyndi: My artist statement, that might give you some more insight.
'My Joan Series is a visual tale about a mid-century housewife seeking
strength to overcome her abusive relationship with her partner Dick. The
series began with Joan's fantastical box of Arm & Finger Bitching Soda...her
inner strength. With her A&F she was able to take the blinders off and see the
reality of her toxic relationship. From there she examined all her baggage and
began sorting through the emotions and memories that had haunted her for
too long. The WWJD exhibit is chapter 3...Joan is now getting Dick out of her
life by cleaning house and throwing out the trash. Chapter 4 comes next
where Joan will be exploring her new found independence and her sexuality
while preparing herself to enter the work force.' People can visit my on-line
portfolio site to view work and contact me at: www.coroflot.com/cyndioh
Photographs of Cyndi’s work may be impressive but you have got to see them
in person to get the full effect. The Ohio Art League is located at 1552 North
High Street in Columbus. Junctionview Studios is at 889 Williams Ave. in
Grandview Heights.
You can visit and even join Creative Artists at Work at CAWcolumbus.com
and Mother Artists at Work at motherartistsatwork.blogspot.com.
I think we have all been in a position at one time or another in our lives where
we identify with “Joan." I am anxiously awaiting Chapter 4 to see how Joan is
doing without Dick.
Columbus artist Cyndi Bellerose-McAfee stands by her
display "What would JOAN do?" now on view at The Ohio
Art League in Columbus through Sept. 29. Photos Submitted
display "What would JOAN do?" now on view at The Ohio
Art League in Columbus through Sept. 29. Photos Submitted
The “What Would Joan Do?”
art series is a humorous
show where Cyndi Bellerose’s
1960ish character, Joan,
takes some stabs at her
unfaithful partner, Dick.
I found myself completely
engrossed by the detailed
work and just had to ask
Cyndi some questions about
her background and display.
dw: How did you get your
start as an artist?
Cyndi: I know this sounds
hokey but I can't remember
ever not being an artist. I was
deemed an artist as a young
child. I remember doing my
art series is a humorous
show where Cyndi Bellerose’s
1960ish character, Joan,
takes some stabs at her
unfaithful partner, Dick.
I found myself completely
engrossed by the detailed
work and just had to ask
Cyndi some questions about
her background and display.
dw: How did you get your
start as an artist?
Cyndi: I know this sounds
hokey but I can't remember
ever not being an artist. I was
deemed an artist as a young
child. I remember doing my
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