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Cheryl's Bio/Statment

Cheryl's Bio/Statment
Moving was a typical part of my childhood. Born in an Air Force Base Hospital the family moved on an average of every year or two. When I was an adolescent, we moved to Germany where we lived in little German towns with few Americans and no TV. From my bedroom window, I could see all of the street activity and often tried to capture it in sketches. When I was 18, I loaded up my VW bug with all of my personal belongings and traveled cross-country to work at Disney that had just opened up in Orlando. At night, I sketched portraits for Disney and attended Valencia Community College during the day. Although I benefited greatly from the art classes that I took, I still consider myself a self-taught artist. Luckily, at Disney I had the opportunity to experiment with many different materials, studied color, and learned valuable techniques that are instrumental as a fine artist. Over the years, I continued with Disney as a sculptor, mold & model maker, and later, the ultimate position in Imagineering. In 1987, I left Disney to start my own creative business with my life partner and muse of 19 years, Dawn. Dawn was also a former Disney artist and together we had the first women owned scenic design and production studio in the area; all while raising our beautiful daughter Kelly. Our shop created everything from painted backdrops, sculptures, fiberglass trees, to scale models and drafting.

Artist Statement

The nostalgic theme of my paintings seems to afford me the opportunity to depict scenes that otherwise may connect me personally. Yes, the women bar scenes are my fantasies. I identify with the scenes as well as the charters. I am intrigued by the sexual energy and the role of the bartenders in the lesbian bars and curious about their perspective. I glamorize them while depicting the sexual attraction between them and the patrons. In my day, I frequented the local Gay bar and found these local watering holes to be the centers of the gay life. I would observe the connection or lack of, between patrons. I personally know the awkward feeling of walking into a bar alone as well as the pain of seeing your ex with another woman for the first time. Although I am a lesbian, I adore gay men and will forever be grateful for the love and friendship they provide especially when I was first coming out. I love to portray their flirtatious glances out of the corner of their eye as well as the sudden change of focus when a young handsome waiter passes by. This sexual chemistry should not be understated. Although I approach my work with playfulness and a bit of whimsy, my paintings express a rainbow of emotions: love, loneliness, passion, lust, fear, pain as well as a devoted commitment to love.

The Process
The original idea for a painting is sketched in the actual size. I then cut the figures out and arrange my paper dolls until they tell me where they want to sit. I then manipulate them to create the movement that best tells the story. Most of my work is in acrylic paint on canvas.



SOLO EXHIBITIONS:

Solo Show
"Femme, Femme, Femme"
Stonewall Library, Ft Lauderdale, Fl
August 2007


Solo Show
"Femme,Femme,Femme"
Gallery Q, Orlando, FL
March 2007


Solo Show
Storks
Wilton Manors, Fl
June & July 2007



SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS:

Fine Line Gallery
465 Boulevard, Suite 203, Atlanta,Georgia
Nov 2007 through Feb 2008


Orlando Repertory Tupperware Theatre
"Aftermath", Women artist respond to HERicanes Katrina, Frances, and Jeanne
Orlando, Fl
Sept 2007


Claudia Chapline Gallery
"Strong Waves"
Stinson Beach, California
May 2007


"United and Proud" June 2007
Ft Lauderdale, Fl


ArtServe Gallery, Ft. Lauderdale, FL


"Aftermath" May 2007
Seminole Community College Art Gallery
Sanford Fl


"JOURNEYS" 2007
COMMA Gallery, Orlando, FL


"Seasons of Light," 2006
Gallery Q, Orlando, Florida


"Bacchanalia," 2006
Gallery Q, Orlando, Florida


"Art Explosion,"2006
JM Family Enterprises Gallery, Ft Lauderdale, Fl



AWARDS:
1st Place 2008 "Bacchanalia"
Gallery Q, Orlando FL

Best of Show 2006
"Bacchanalia"
Gallery Q, Mills Ave, Orlando, Fl
Title: "Bath"

Spectrum Award 2007
Queer Art Collective
Orlando, Fl

Best Female Artist in South Florida 2007
Editor's choice Award, Gay Express News
Ft Lauderdale, Fl


EDUCATION:
Associates in Arts
Valencia Community College,Orlando Florida, 1976


BORN:
Military Brat


AFFILIATIONS:
ArtsUnited, Broward County, Florida

Women Art Caucus, Florida Chapter

Florida Queer Arts Collective, Central Florida