Meet Cyn Macgregor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cyn Macgregor.

Hi Cyn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m messy. I like to play in the mud, get my hands dirty, grow stuff, experiment, watch nature work. And then I love to play in the water to tidy things up. What began as painting rocks with mud in my backyard turned into me being “that girl” with a camera then back to painting with more colorful tools. And who knows maybe I’ll find my way back to the mud one day.

I studied photography at the School of Modern Photography during my junior year of High School and then landed an internship at Hudson Daily Sun learning graphic design and publishing. I married and co-owned a print shop for several years then launched Cynergie Studio, my creative hub for graphic design and publishing consulting. I studied interior design at American Intercontinental University where I renewed my passion for making original art.

This was the moment that I realized I could unapologetically call myself an artist. At this time in my life, I was lucky to be a stay-at-home mom so as a way to stay creative I created a preschool co-op creativity program with a few other moms. A few years later, our family moved to Raleigh, NC and the co-op program I had designed became Sun & Moon Studio, a warm and welcoming place for elementary-age kids to have messy, fun art experiences.

As my own children grew older, I moved back into the workplace as a freelance graphic designer/art director/illustrator. Although this work was challenging and fulfilling, I found time to work on my creative self by experimenting with different mediums and getting closer to finding my creative voice. About now my children were off finding themselves at college and I found myself single for the first time in many years. A big shift was underfoot. I stumbled across a project that I hoped would help me stay connected to the art community, balance my life, and gain a new perspective.

So, I reached out to Pecha Kucha Night Global to request to be an organizer for Raleigh. It all worked out and I arranged (with help from friends) and shepherded over 20 Pecha Kucha Nights as well as participated in Raleigh’s downtown creative festival SparkCon for seven years. This experience was an absolute honor and I will forever be grateful to the sponsors and community that allowed us to provide a platform to talk about ideas and creativity.

My life was a patchwork of projects. From building a new personal and professional life and attending to family to finding and working in a dedicated art space and working on new business ideas. Though slightly chaotic, it seemed like things were fairly smooth. But life happens. Often coming in waves of threes. 1. The contracting job I loved, suddenly ended. 2. My mom (my biggest cheerleader and pal) passed away. 3. A Pandemic was on the horizon. Wow! So, I threw myself into a new project.

In January 2020 my partner (my sister) and I launched Cynergie Style, eco-conscious home decor & apparel brand. Using my original paintings, we created products that can be purchased on-demand, thus reducing environmental harm and overconsumption. My past photography, print, and design experience blended perfectly with my love of creating artwork with a higher purpose. Our online shop went live the same week the WHO declared an official Pandemic.

As the World regrouped, so did we. Honestly, we still are. However, in times of trouble, I remind myself of Helen Keller’s words, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing”. Our original eco-conscious collection can be found on Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/cynergiestudioart) and new designs will arrive this year.

Now that the Pandemic was here and we saw how people were suffering, my sister and I pivoted our focus to promote a kind healthy lifestyle. We felt passionate about the idea that food can either help your health or hurt it. Our goal was to show how other people used food to build back their health. So, we started a blog highlighting personal stories and healthy recipes. Read more at www.kindhealthylife.com.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has it been smooth sailing? Ha! No, not smooth at all. Some people know right away how to organize their life around the things that they love. For me, it has been and is an ongoing journey.

I sometimes feel like that little feather that somehow escaped from the pillow. It is light and airy and floats around until it finds a landing and settles in. Then it gets kicked up again because someone walks by, opens a door, or the heat turns on.

This can be a positive trait as it allows me to be uber flexible and to say “yes!” to many opportunities. But it also doesn’t allow me to stay focused in one direction… easily or for the duration. Because I am a solopreneur these traits make my work harder.

As a business owner, you have so many struggles. Keeping enough capital on hand for the low months, outsourcing the tasks you can’t handle, trying to handle everything else you can’t afford to outsource. Wearing many hats can really wear you down. You won’t be good at everything, but you’ll think you should be.

You definitely need a strong support system to ward off burnout. And, (sorry to sound all humbug) an idea is not enough. You have to have money to promote and invest in infrastructure to support your idea IF you want ROI.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When I think about my creative work over the years, I see that my inspiration comes from a life traveled and lived with a sense of exploration over many disciplines. When I paint, that’s my happy place, I embrace the Japanese practice of mushin no shin [無心の心] (sounds a bit like ma-sheen no sheem) that is, to be in a no-mind moment without overthinking it.

My “no-mindedness” mark-making paintings are often influenced by landscape and architecture as well as photographs I have taken on my travels around the USA and abroad. My paintings are all mistakes in the making. They often include scribbles, dribbles, scraps, flaws, or distress (maybe happenstance or on purpose) to emphasize that the idea of “perfection” is an illusion and in fact, is not a sustainable human condition.

This same approach doesn’t quite fit as a creative method for photography, film, or product design but the mushin no shin shines through in other ways.

In addition to Cynergie Studio, I am proud of founding or being a part of these projects:

PECHAKUCHA NIGHT RALEIGH.
I was honored to provide a platform for artists to talk about their ideas and art as the Raleigh city organizer for PechaKucha Night for seven years. You can still watch our posted videos here > http://bit.ly/2M9xOXF.

CARBON FOOTPRINT FILMS.
In collaboration with my husband and his company, I explore filmmaking where I provide creative direction, talent, and assistance to help produce his award-winning short films. Learn more here > https://bit.ly/3fYFTQU.

SUN & MOON STUDIO.
I believe that every mark a person makes is important. To reinforce this idea with young minds I founded Sun & Moon Studio, a studio for kids to explore creativity, get messy and create art.

ART BY WOMEN PROJECT.
I am an advocate for women artists. Art By Women Project features other women artists, designed to give them a boost of encouragement and visibility. Women Artists of all levels are encouraged to reach out. I feature artists that inspire me as well. There is no fee, only a virtual handshake agreement to pay it forward to another woman artist. Check out www.instagram.com/artbywomenproject.

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 saving our planet depends on us all taking whatever responsibility we can to better our environment for ourselves, children, and those who will come after us when we are long gone.

That’s why I dedicate myself to a kind healthy life by choosing not to contribute to animal suffering in factory farming environments. I co-produce a blog where we publish content about the benefits of a kind healthy life. Check out www.kindhealthylife.com for recipes and inspiring healing stories.

CHARITY WATER.
My global passion is accessible, safe drinking water for all communities. I am proud that in 2017, I helped to drill a well in Malawi, Africa that services 246 beneficiaries.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I don’t have a golden ticket to share on the topic of how to do things so you succeed or are financially fit in your area of work. For me I try to live my life with a few thoughts like these:

• Seek wisdom.
• Take more chances.
• Be yourself. Don’t think you have to be the best.
• Be honest with yourself, and with others.
• Be kind.
• When working with others, seek enthusiastic agreement.
• Yes, mean yes. No, means no. And maybe, almost always means no.
• 80/20 rule.

Oh, and start small. I mean gorilla bootstrapping small! Choose 1-3 things to focus on (great advice I obviously seem unable to do!) and then over-deliver.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.cynergiestudio.com
• Instagram: @cynmacgregor_art
• Twitter: @cynjustcyn
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/cynergiestudioart

Image Credits
Larry E. Evans and Cyn Macgregor