about cyn

Cyn Macgregor was born in Ohio and lives and works in Raleigh, NC. She is an award-winning, abstract, mixed-media artist.

Her artwork is in private collections around the world.

Artist Statement

Cyn embraces the Japanese practice of mushin no shin [ 無心の心 ] (sounds a bit like ma-sin no-sin) that is, to paint in a no-mind moment without overthinking. Another translation of mushin no shin is, mindless heart. 

Her artwork explores the beauty found in the imperfect and the richness of a patina that emerges with the passage of time. Her mark-making, mindless heart paintings are influenced by landscape, architecture, and music. Using multiple layers of color, line, texture, scribbles, dribbles, scraps, and flaws, in essence, compressing time so the resulting painting appears distressed and weathered and to emphasize the idea that “perfection” is an illusion and is not a sustainable human condition. And being perfectly imperfect is perfectly ok.

Cyn hopes her artwork will spark joy and a shared connection between people and the spaces they love.

A bit more about Cyn

Her creative journey began as a teen and studied photography at the School of Modern Photography and landed an internship at Hudson Daily Sun learning graphic design and publishing. Cyn co-owned a print shop for several years and then launched Cynergie Studio, her creative hub for art, film, and publishing. She studied interior design at American Intercontinental University where she rekindled her passion for painting and the connection between art and space. Her prior photography, and printing education blended perfectly with her need to create artwork with a purpose.

Cyn believes that every mark a person makes is important. To reinforce this idea with young minds she founded Sun & Moon Studio, (1996-2001) a studio for kids to explore creativity, get messy, and create art. For seven years ( 2010-2017) Cyn was honored to organize, produce and provide a platform for artists to talk about their ideas and art as the Raleigh city organizer for PechaKucha Night. Her creative exploration extends into filmmaking where she and her very talented actor/filmmaker/writer husband work together to produce award-winning short films. In January 2020 (yep during the pandemic) she launched a new collection of ethically made fashion and decor products with her artwork and designs.

Commitment to causes

Art By Women Project

She is an advocate for women artists. Her project, Art By Women Project (follow on Instagram) features emerging women artists giving them a boost of encouragement and visibility. All women artists are encouraged to reach out. There is no fee.

Kind Healthy Life

While climate change is a natural thing our planet does over time (of which we have little control over) contributing to the acceleration of climate change is something we do have a lot of control over. A big part of helping our planet heal depends on us all taking whatever responsibility we can to better our environment for ourselves, our families, and those who will come after us when we are long gone. Cyn is mindful about not contributing to animal suffering specifically in factory farming environments. She co-founded a company where she promotes and writes about the benefits of a kind healthy life, meaning a focus on plant-based alternatives. Check out Kind Healthy Life and blog.

Charity Water

Cyn’s global passion is accessible, safe drinking water for all communities. In 2017 she helped to drill a well in Malawi, Africa that services 246 beneficiaries.