Cyndi McMurray

Cyndi was born in Syracuse, NY, but has lived in New Orleans since she was three. She has lived Uptown, Downtown, French Quarter, Mid-City and Metairie. She is a self-taught artist who has also worked in photography for many years. These are Cyndi's unique handmade creations. Each head has its own character - starting with a styrofoam head - and usually takes 10 to 20 hours to complete. They can have anywhere from 1,200 to 5,500 pins holding anything from antique to modern pieces, including beads, sequins, flowers, jewelry, material, feathers or flowers. She starts with an idea, theme or character and just pick through thousands of beads and supplies until she comes up with what she needs to make it happen. (A lot of the glass beads are vintage Mardi Gras Glass beads.) Cyndi names each one. Sometimes a name will come to her as she goes along. Other times she has to wait until it is finished. Sometimes she has a name in mind before she starts. All of the creations are one-of-a-kind, never-to-be-reproduced works of art. To find out more about Cyndi's art, visit www.nita-zita.com or contact her at Cmamcmurray@aol.com.