“I no longer see the world as it is, but in marquetry - in layers of light and Transparence.”

Cindy Goldman creates marquetry as a way of telling visual stories, using over 300 varieties of natural and dyed wood veneers.

Her work is rooted in the French marquetry technique known as Transparence, where layers of wood are used to create depth, light, and subtle transitions of color.

After a career as a national award-winning designer and art director, Cindy turned her focus to furniture design and building, and ultimately to modern marquetry, which now occupies the majority of her creative practice. Her work is strongly influenced by artists Patrice LeJeune and French master Yves Gauthey, both known for their refined use of the Transparence technique.

In May 2025, Cindy traveled to Tournus, France, to study directly with Monsieur Gauthey.
His approach deeply resonated with her artistic vision and helped shape the direction of her current work. She is one of only several people practicing this technique worldwide.

Since returning to her studio in Texas, Cindy has created a new body of work that reflects this influence. 

Each piece is created without paint, using only natural or dyed wood veneers and sawdust. In this way, she is painting with wood.