North Georgia Arts Guild

Cynthia D’Angelo’s Tribal Trees Art

By Tricia Moore

The canvas for Cynthia (Cindi) D’Angelo’s beautifully unique three-dimensional paintings is tree bark, using bark mainly from the Eastern White Pine and the Yellow Pine. Cynthia states that in the creation of these lasting pieces of art she has two intentions. The first is to “honor the Cherokee heritage and their former presence on the land I now occupy.” The second is to “celebrate and emphasize our Creator’s Awesomeness by continuing the life of the generous spirit of the tree in a new form.”

Cynthia has been involved in artistic endeavors since her childhood, but her tree bark paintings trace their origin back to only four years ago when she relocated to the mountains from the coast of Georgia. Inspired by the natural beauty of the nature that surrounds her, Cynthia considered how she could best use natural materials in the creation of art. She was particularly drawn to the tree bark shed from aging trees and developed a method for painting durable scenes from nature onto them.

After moving to the mountains to enjoy a “full-time creative life,” Cynthia established Tribal Trees Art and began devoting her time to her tree bark paintings. The process Cynthia uses to create her paintings is complex and quite time-consuming. It took her two years of experimenting to find out what would work. The bark, which she gathers from the forest floor, has to first be dried for several months. Then after it is sufficiently dried, Cynthia explains, “The exterior surface and sides are preserved with layers of polyurethane and the inside surface is primed with three or more coats of a white primer to make a less penetrable surface for painting.” The mediums Cynthia uses in her paintings include acrylic, oil, enamel, watercolor pencils and a poly-acrylic sealer, with the sealer being applied in between each medium used. Cynthia stated that the three-dimensional surface of the bark used dictates the design and how it is rendered and painted. With the 3-D nature of the bark and the 12–14 layers needed to complete a piece, as well as the drying time between the layers, these pieces take months to complete. The creation of this form of art presents a big challenge, but using her talent, ingenuity and artistic skills, Cynthia has proven that she is more than up to meeting that challenge.

Tricia Moore is a retired teacher, having taught both English and Art in public and private school settings. She is currently an active member of the NGAG and has held several positions on the board. With her background in both art and writing, she feels that writing the NGAG featured artist article in the Laurel of Northeast Georgia is a good fit and something that she will greatly enjoy doing.

Cynthia states that even though it takes three to six months to complete a piece, she can work on several simultaneously. She says that she does have a studio in which to work on the tree bark paintings, but she prefers to work outdoors when possible, as she loves the natural lighting being outdoors provides her and enjoys having the opportunity to observe the nature that is all around her while she works.

Cynthia has spent her entire life being involved in some form of art. When asked about influences in her life that led her to a life dedicated to art, Cynthia related a story from her childhood about her elementary school principal Mr. Flanders. She states: “I was already reading and writing when I started to school at the age of five and I was a very excitedly hyper child. Rather than torture my poor teachers, Mr. Flanders would let me sit and read to him in his office. He also suggested Mrs. Edwards and all those to follow allow me to draw or make bulletin boards in the hallway or stage performances for the PTA. That school is now a Montessori school in keeping with their belief in supporting educational initiatives through the interest of each child. “

Cynthia’s art – Tribal Trees Art - can currently be viewed at the Macon County Art Association’s Uptown Gallery in Franklin, North Carolina and at the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce. She can also be reached for questions or interest in purchasing her art at 706-970-0388. In addition to her art business, she also has recently started a catering business, which she named Catori. She laughingly stated that she never could be involved in just one thing at a time.