Cynthia LaBarr

Photography – Minneapolis

I have been an artist all my life in one form or another. I have landed firmly in 2 places in the recent past, photography and jewelry. I co-owned a photography studio for 8 years and when my life took a drastic turn it changed my whole perspective. I no longer saw beauty the same way and I no longer wanted to create photos with no flaws, quite the opposite. I sought out the forgotten and abandoned things that were no longer shiny and perfect because to me they are so beautiful. It was also a cry from my own heart to be loved the way I was and to not be tossed aside when I am no longer shiny and perfect. I love old cars because they have such great lines and when the metal covered in paint starts to corrode the most amazing colors and textures emerge. After discovering I could draw I decided at 18 to try everything once because you really don't know what you will be good at until you try. This thought process has propelled me to start a non profit called The Art Of Youth to give underprivileged young people in my area a chance to play with creativity for FREE and feel like they are good at something. I want to reach the homeless youth who need a way to make it out of a negative cycle using art to teach them life skills and show them how to be a success at what they love, and try things they don't know they will love. I am now working on getting a name as an artist myself to be an example to them and to show them that people will love what you create you just have to give them the chance. I am going to need a lot of help but I believe there are many people who are willing to support us. In a nutshell art changed me so I want to help it change others who feel hopeless and worthless. If you connect with my vision check us out at theartofyouth.org....if you just want to buy some great photo art that works to.