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No genre comes close...
Image from Bethlehem House Gallery Holiday Show (October 2018 - January 2019)
After viewing her art at the Bethlehem House Gallery, definitely HAD to get the interview!
Important Note: This interview is from an e-mail. It is straight copy / paste with zero editing. Cheryl also provided an opening statement.
Important Note: This interview is from an e-mail. It is straight copy / paste with zero editing. Cheryl also provided an opening statement.
Here is a summary of my artistic career. I wrote this as part of my career narrative.
A fellow artist once told me that I have found a way to make happy accidents my overall style. For nearly 50 years, my career with watercolors has shaped my interest in the complexities of emotion and the development of human connection using everyday situations. It is my watercolor style, developed over decades that is exclusive and differentiating. My use of the figure as anonymous characters in the stories I tell, capture life moments portrayed as a whisper worth noticing.
As a signature member of both the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society and Baltimore Watercolor Society, I have shown my work nationally and internationally. My style and application of watercolors gives the medium a new and unique visual quality. My focus is on everyday situations where I balance the fluidity of the medium with subtle color changes. My unique handling of the medium has evolved over the course of my art career; I use a puddle-like technique which creates an unusual style reminiscent of the Impressionists yet influenced by modern day masters. My work’s recurring theme is the depiction of beauty in moments of time that others may pass by without noticing. I am influenced by people in their momentary emotional interactions which tell their everyday life stories.
A fellow artist once told me that I have found a way to make happy accidents my overall style. For nearly 50 years, my career with watercolors has shaped my interest in the complexities of emotion and the development of human connection using everyday situations. It is my watercolor style, developed over decades that is exclusive and differentiating. My use of the figure as anonymous characters in the stories I tell, capture life moments portrayed as a whisper worth noticing.
As a signature member of both the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society and Baltimore Watercolor Society, I have shown my work nationally and internationally. My style and application of watercolors gives the medium a new and unique visual quality. My focus is on everyday situations where I balance the fluidity of the medium with subtle color changes. My unique handling of the medium has evolved over the course of my art career; I use a puddle-like technique which creates an unusual style reminiscent of the Impressionists yet influenced by modern day masters. My work’s recurring theme is the depiction of beauty in moments of time that others may pass by without noticing. I am influenced by people in their momentary emotional interactions which tell their everyday life stories.
Interview
7) How would you describe your style and the genre you have created? I have tried to come up with a term and nothing justifies what you do.That’s a tough question for me. A fellow artist said “you have figured out a way to make happy accidents your style”. That is actually what happened. When I found out that I could manage the chaos of watercolor medium, there was happiness.
8) Is all of your work traditional brush and canvass? Have you considered doing anything straight digital? All of my work is brush on paper, aquabord or canvas. I like capturing a moment in time using my phone, then free hand light sketching and begin the painting. I’ve thought about using digital however it just does not seem right for me. I love the whole process, soup to nuts. Observe, draw and paint is what I do and who I am as an artist.
9) How do you view digital art? Is it just another method of creativity, or, the evolution of traditional brush / canvass, sculpting, etc. I think artists do great things with all kinds of mediums and it is another method of creativity however there is something about seeing an idea, then following through that thrills me. Each painting takes approximately 2 months to complete and that is my joy.
10) A little bit on the actual business side of art. We are in the era of independents: artists / authors / music / etc. How has the difficulty level and learning curve increased for indie artists? Example: How much harder is it to be noticed and sell your art? It’s very difficult. Just like anyone can sing a song, anyone can pick up a pencil or paintbrush and paint. You have to work at it even when there is rejection. You have to push forward and believe in yourself.
11) Again, on the business side: How important is it for an artist to have a table at a local art, art / craft show in the modern era? I believe artists have to set goals and a path for themselves. If setting up a table at a local fair is part of getting noticed then do that. I have done demonstrations and setup at shows as well. I prefer to sell my work through galleries however there are some really great local art alliance and established local shows that provide exposure with potential to open doors for larger regional shows and beyond.
12) What is your advice to other artists and people thinking of trying art, from a child to older adult? If you have an interest, then try it. There is nothing to lose and you may find a new happiness.
Thank you for taking time for this interview. And for taking time at the exhibit opening. You have seriously amazing talent in multiple areas. I wish you only the best and much success / high sales!
