Cynthia Reid Obituary

Cynthia Jean Kraft Reid, a well-known Texas artist, teacher, and Master Gardener passed away January 10th.

Cynthia was born in New York City and spent her childhood in Blauvelt, New York, a small town 20 miles north of New York City. She attended Syracuse University and the University of Colorado, ultimately moving to Texas where she met and married the late James Reid. She completed her degree in Art Education at Sam Houston State University. She taught art at two high schools in Conroe ISD over a thirty-year period. During that time, she also earned two more degrees at SHSU - a Master of Education in 1977, and a Master of Fine Arts in Painting in 1988.

After retiring from Conroe ISD in 2004, Reid taught various art classes at Lone Star College, and taught Aquamedia at SHSU for 8 years. She worked for the Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival from 2011 - 2016 as Artist Manager. She also coordinated the Angel Show Holiday Market in Huntsville, a gift market featuring local artisans at the Sam Houston Museum. Cynthia had been a watercolorist for the past 35 years. She has shown her work extensively in Texas, New York, and Mexico in numerous group shows, juried shows, and twelve solo exhibitions. Early paintings focused on old buildings and architectural details. More recently her experiences camping with her husband, Martin Amorous, significantly influenced her latest works. Her favorite subjects include trees and bodies of water, with the challenge of capturing movement and reflection. Her paintings are owned by collectors throughout the United States and Mexico. She is a longtime member (19 years) of the Montgomery County Master Gardener Association. Cynthia's

involvement with that group included coordinator for plant sales (2009), vice president of the association (2010), president ((2011). Since 2017 Cynthia became more involved with Conroe Art League as a judge for The Lone Star Art Guild, a judge for the student shows, also judging the Conroe Art League (CALs) international show and the 12x12 auction. She also gave a demo at CALs general meeting and has been teaching workshops in paper weaving, creativity, ink drawing, drawing and a regular ongoing class in watercolor. Paper weaving became her passion, and she had solo shows in Houston, Conroe, Austin, Georgetown and Huntsville.

Cynthia's students were as important to her outside the classroom as in class. She was so engaging with anyone who was interested in art, and her kindness, generosity and patience was amazing. She also attended many workshops until very recently as she said, "with art there is always something new to learn".

Cynthia is survived by her husband, Martin Amorous and her daughter, Jamie Elizabeth Reid Smithers, her granddaughter, Eloise Smithers, and her son-in-law, Adam Smithers. Survivors also include her sister Stephanie Pirrone and her two brothers, Jack Kraft and Richard Kraft. She was preceded in death by her first husband, James Reid.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. March 28 in the Tom Leroy Building at the Montgomery County A&M Agrilife Center, 990200 Airport Road, Conroe Texas (across the street from the Lone Star Convention Center).

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.