Beatrix Potter loved the countryside and spent much of her childhood drawing and studying animals. The Tale of Peter Rabbit¸ published in 1902, was her first book, expanded from an illustrated letter she had sent to a young friend. Beatrix Potter went on to publish more than 20 tales and collections of rhymes.
Cindy Thornton (b. 1975) is a contemporary illustrative painter currently residing in Orlando, Florida. Her whimsical and vibrant style often incorporates bold colors, clean lines, and touches of surrealism. Many of Cindy’s works have unique and hidden meanings that challenge the imagination, but a common theme found throughout her art is love. That central theme is expressed, sometimes subtly, in thought-provoking dreamscapes that are frequently embellished with touches of quirkiness and humor.
Much of Cindy’s work also conveys a sense of simplicity and childlike innocence. In fact, her three young children offer a tremendous source of inspiration. Cindy’s love of nostalgic music, interest in science, and appreciation of nature also influence her artistic choices.
Cindy studied art in college but didn’t begin actively selling her paintings until 2005. Since then, she’s been able to sell hundreds of original works to collectors around the world, collaborate with local and Asian galleries, and display her art annually at an international art fair in Taiwan. She also regularly participates in art events and festivals in the southeastern United States. When she’s not painting, Cindy enjoys family life with her husband and imaginative kids.
