The Spitfire Grill is a profound story filled with messages of hope, resilience, and friendship. Coincidentally, artist Cindy Geffel’s work ties together some of those same themes as she explores the intersection of humanity and nature through a canvas. A curated selection of Cindy’s work will be displayed in the lobby during the run of The Spitfire Grill.

Cindy began painting in watercolors as a young mother and after years of entering local shows, decided to pursue a fine arts degree at Portland State University. She continues to meet her goal of experimenting with different techniques and ideas to make work that is meaningful to herself and her viewers.

Cindy’s work often touches upon how humans interact with the environment. The Spitfire Grill takes place in a rural Wisconsin town, surrounded by nature. Living in a rural area herself, Cindy is constantly learning “how fragile the natural world is and the impact humans have on it,” she explained. “I believe humans have a responsibility to be caretakers of the amazing creation we’ve been given to enjoy and to also learn from what it has to teach us.” These ideas are reflected in her art, which are often composed of vibrant colors and fascinating silhouettes.

In her newest art series, Cindy has explored abstract, acrylic underpainting as well as collaging from wood or obsolete technical equipment. “The paintings begin abstractly, and are developed slowly with many layers, much like how an old Polaroid photo comes into focus,” explained Cindy. “That is when details are defined.” The core of the arts is often in the details, including various aspects of the script of The Spitfire Grill, which is filled with meaningful insights and an intricate musical score.

The Spitfire Grill not only amplifies the power of friendship but also the shared experiences of women. Cindy draws upon inspiration from many women of the Expressionist Art Movement, such as Helen Frankenthaler, Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchel, and Elaine de Kooning. She expressed that while their more famous partners gained attention for their work, the women continued to make art in a way that was just as impactful.

Cindy remains in her pursuit of creating thought-provoking art but also devotes much of her time to keeping honey bees and exploring National Parks.

Don’t forget to take a look at Cindy’s work displayed in the lobby, which is available to purchase directly from her.