from About.com contributor, Ken Gradomski:
Up close or far away? These are the two most basic approaches of how to engage with visual Art. For those of us classically trained, the teaching was to 'stand back' from a painting and look at it as a whole, not in pieces... (still good advice.) However, the emergence of photography as an Art Form, with its generally smaller prints than the size of paintings, a 'close up' view came into being as well. Notwithstanding volumes of critical literature about 'documentary, dark room deceptions, Instrumentalism (the art of message), capturing the moment, and endless technical approaches and information,' the image and one's relation and reaction to it remains paramount... thank goodness! It seems that the abilities to both create and appreciate images are built-in; hard-wired into the species if you will. Prior knowledge is not required just as in engaging with music. Given that, it is no surprise to discover both a little-known gem of display and a new-to-the-scene artist in Cleveland Heights.
Cindy Fellow took up her mission to make Art just a little over two years ago; her medium, Collage. A vivacious mother of five daughters, she relentlessly makes collages of appropriated and re-contextualized pieces of photographs that she culls from a number of sources. She works in her fully-enclosed porch at home and always has three to five works in progress. Her sister is a portraitist and Cindy, herself, has always wanted to 'do something' with Art. As subjects for her 'artistic puzzles' she loves religious images, princesses, tigers, and a veritable plethora of anything that 'speaks to her' and demands inclusion into one of her action-packed collages. She has been influenced by Art Deco and Art Nouveau and loves the paintings of John Waterhouse. 
Cindy's efforts are vibrant with energy and speak of a personal symbolism that captures the viewer with its sheer intensity. Colors abound and the action in her images draws one across the room for a close-up look and a trip into wonder. Her husband, Tommy, is the owner of Tommy's Restaurant and Gallery on Coventry Road in Cleveland Heights. He regularly displays artworks from local and regional artists on the walls. Of course, he supports and encourages Cindy who currently has more than 24 works on display. The availability of good food and great service at Tommy's makes a visit there an absolute 'must-do.' As well, and as importantly, Cindy Fellow's collages are definitely something to see...Bon appétit!
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