Meet Cynthia Lund Torroll, Fine Artist

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Lund Torroll.

Cynthia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began drawing at the age of 2. While in high school, my art teacher gave me one sentence of instruction: “Hold the pencil like you sign your name.” My teachers noticed my unique style and dubbed it “Lundism” giving me my first solo show when I was 16. Initially, I sought employment in social work, but creating art was always somehow a part of my life. At my job as a psychiatric assistant, I started doing portraits of my clients. Many of these people were non-verbal and considered low-functioning, but they would happily sit for me and would react with pure joy and recognition in my results. The clinic I worked for challenged me by asking if I would design corporate advertisements. This eventually led to a continuing career in commercial art. I stopped drawing altogether for fifteen years and suddenly began again at the age of 33 when “Heliotroped” was created. “Helioptroped” was drawn in my original style with exaggerated features. I drew ten pieces that first year all in that same style when suddenly, in 1991, I drew “Cacophony” where the features were more normalized. I’ve continued in that style ever since.

My exhibition start was due to a friend entering a print of “Heliotroped” into an art competition where it won Best of Show. It went on to win numerous other notices and was part of the New York exhibition “Brave Destiny: The New Surrealists”, a show that included work by Salvador Dali and H.R. Giger. It will be in an exhibition in Paris this fall. My art focuses on my fascination of being both a physical and spiritual being simultaneously. In that delicate balance, I explore the mysterious energies that result.

My husband is from Chicago and we like to pop in often. I’ve been in a number of shows here, including SOFA Chicago, The National Drawing Show, Outsider Art Fair and other neighboring exhibitions.

Has it been a smooth road?
Since my work is very much reflective of the challenges I face in life, it’s been a very strange path of many twists and turns of both personal loss and blessings.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am a fine artist. I specialize in black and white pencil drawings. My style has been called surrealism and magic realism. I’ve also started painting in the past few years. I love abstracts. I’m also a graphic designer. I’m known for images that are emotionally complicated.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think Chicago is an outstanding place for artists. It has everything from the acclaimed Art Institute to numerous other top-notch galleries and dealers. It’s loaded with culture and inspiration.

Contact Info:

• Website: cynthiatorroll.com
• Email: ctorroll@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c_lund_torroll/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CynthiaTorroll
• Other: https://www.redbubble.com/people/voice?ref=account-nav-dropdown&asc=u

Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.