Originally form the Chicago area, Cindy Sturla moved to Winter Springs in 1982. She majored in fine arts at the University of Pittsburgh before moving to Europe for several years. Traveling to Europe's great cities, immersing herself in the culture, and visiting the cathedrals, museums and galleries was as one the greatest education experiences she could have had. It influenced her love of the Impressionists particularly.
​
When Cindy moved to Florida, its natural beauty and marvelous light motivated her to start working in watercolor. She finds that the luminous quality of watercolor works beautifully with the light and color here in Florida. Like the Impressionists, Cindy started painting "en plein air" (or in the open air) after taking a landscape painting class at Crealde, where she met a group of women who shared her passion about painting Florida landscape. This group of painters continues today and has grown to 30+ active members.
​
Cindy has been painting in watercolor for 20 years and has been teaching classes of 9 years. Her work has been exhibited in juried art festivals, group and solo gallery shows, and invitational paint outs around the state. Cindy's awards include the Taste of Oviedo poster award in 2002 and 2007 besides awards from numerous gallery and juried shows. Although best known from her landscape watercolor, Cindy loves to paint florals, portraits, and figures, where she works from life, but also from photographs. She has done demonstrations in "plein air painting" for art groups and recently started teaching classes in watercolor painting at Gallery on First. Cindy maintains a studio with Stewart Jones where she displays her paintings and does studio work, including commissions.
​
Cindy is a member of the Central Florida Watercolor Society, Central Florida Plein Air Artists (founding member), associate member of Florida Watercolor Society, signature member of Plein Air Florida, Artist Alliance of North Florida.
​
Besides Gallery on First, Cindy is represented by the Shady Oak Gallery in Micanopy, Florida and The Villa in Winter Park, Florida.
​
You can see more of Cindy's portfolio at her website: www.cindysturla.com. You can contact Cindy at cistur@aol.com or 407-365-8748.
​
CLASSES:
​
Cindy offers watercolor lessons to beginning and intermediate students. Private sessions are $25 an hour or join a class with Cindy at the rate of $35 per lesson.
​
Fees: $30 per class; $25 per hour for private session.
​
Beginner watercolor classes are taught on alternating Tuesdays.
​
Watercolor II classes are taught Friday mornings.
​
Contact Cindy by phoning her at 407-325-6130 or by email at csturlaart@gmail.com