Emotional Connection

Each portrait this artist does challenges her to strive harder, to grow and improve … to capture faithfully the spirit and character of every animal she paints. It is important for her to connect with her subjects on a special emotional level.

-  Cynthia Waygood

I was born in the north Queensland city of Townsville. That was also where I grew up. I believe my artistic career began when I was a very small child.

My dad was a signwriter with a unique talent for design. He created intricate scrolling and gold leaf lettering using handmade brushes called ‘dagger liners’. I loved watching him work throughout my childhood, and when I started school I decided that art was my favourite subject.

Being an only child for the first ten years of my life, I quite happily occupied my time with drawing and colouring. From time to time I entered competitions to win very desirable prizes like movie tickets, baskets of Easter eggs and art supplies.

When I was 11 years old, I did a pencil sketch of my dad and entered it in a Father’s Day competition. First prize was a shirt and tie, which I proudly won for him. I was awarded a special commendation for my age.

In high school I wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about any of my subjects except Art, English and History. My art teacher tried to encourage me to continue my art education, but I was quite determined to ‘escape’ school as soon as I possibly could.

After leaving school at age 15, I worked in the film department of the local television station. I got to do a bit of everything, and because I had an artistic background I was moved into the production department where I had to quickly learn the art of producing graphics, and undertake photographic laboratory work.

After four years, with a ton of experience under my belt, I moved to Brisbane and then on to Sydney to further my career in the television and advertising industries.