Local artist uses ReStore tiles, other materials in her artwork
Cyndi Crowder-LaVarnway is a local artist that works with acrylic paint, resin art and alcohol ink to decorate tiles, vases and other materials. She also has classes about acrylic paint pouring for tiles, canvas, wood and glass at her home studio in Hillsboro.
In May, the Forest Grove ReStore shared an image from inside our warehouse to remind our community that we sell tiles, and Cyndi responded
Love your tiles❣️
I repurpose your tiles in my art at Art by Cyndi.
We had to know more! So we wrote Cyndi and did an interview via email about her work, how she got started and how the ReStore plays a role in her beautiful creations.
"I’ve been in the creative space most of my life and this specific technique for six and a half years,” said Cyndi. “Once I retired from Intel Marketing in 2021, this has turned into my passion."
“I am self-taught. I have MANY hours invested in this art form and to this date, I’m always thinking of new designs, techniques, and colors to create new artwork.”
Cyndi shared several photos with us of her creations using tiles she has bought at the Forest Grove ReStore and other materials. They are featured here within the blog, including some at the end of the blog text.
"I love it when I can find tiles at Habitat for Humanity Restore in Forest Grove. My husband I are huge at repurposing, reusing, and reinventing things."
Long before she retired, Cyndi and her husband have been visiting area Habitat for Humanity Restores.
"We started purchasing items from Restore about 13 years ago. I visited the Beaverton Restore in the early years but found the location in Forest Grove 10 years ago. I fell in love with the Forest Grove location because of the staff and how organized it is. I know exactly where to find my tiles. 😊”
Her web site and Facebook page list her upcoming classes, her items for sale, and more about her technique. She has a short video on Facebook of an acrylic paint pouring she did on a vase.
Are you an artist that regularly shops at the Forest Grove ReStore to find materials for your work? Or have you created something using materials from the ReStore that you are particularly proud of? We would love to hear your story and see photos of your work! Please send information and a photo or two to photos@westtualityhabitat.org and we may feature you here on our ReStore blog!
