Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Ehlers.
Hi Cheryl, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My formative years were spent living in Europe, while moving to several locations in a short span of 15 years. I found that the only thing you never had to worry about was packing memories and images of places that excited me, into my mental carryall. From a very young age, I experimented with textile, commercial, illustrative design combined with, sculpturing, costume and interior design, genealogy, and other avenues before settling on just a few. In actuality, I take from all that experience and channel it into my art. it almost like being in a candy store where you want to try all the pretty colors. Well, I have done most of that and plan on doing more. I took all the combined talents and brought it, not only into my art, but to youth art education.
It has been huge success, and was funded by numerous grants and accredited by the SD County Board of Supervisors, The California State Assembly and the School Districts of Oceanside, Encinitas, Delmar and Carlsbad. What a joy, and after reaching over 11,600 students, it felt great to give back. Pride and achievement reflect in everything I do in the arts. To date, I have curated over 1405 art exhibits for private and public venues, as well as participating in the local art organizations. I sponsor emerging artists, and provide an advertising platform for professional artists, while still managing to paint and create. Life could not be better.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would not say, it was extremely a smooth transition into visual art. As a self-trained artist, you run into many road-blocks created by peer expectations and classifications of artist types. I have learned to turn the criticism for my broadness in creativity, and inability to focus on one style in particular, on its head. I simply ignore them. What others think or feel about my creative process, and final product, is not really important. I keep exploring to be truly creative, and jump the bumps in order to succeed. It is a rough road to gaining a name in the artworld with all the wonderful artists of today, but it can be done through hard work, and continued determination. Time becomes the only struggle, as there never are enough hours in the day to place your thoughts into projects.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Known for my bold and dynamic colors and expressionist styles to portray energy! I am fundamentally interested in creating works that call for the participation of the audience to the same extent as my involvement in it. The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery of the story and evoke basic human emotions. My works span a variety of genres, and utilization of numerous mediums makes it interesting. One passion is representing essential elements of global conservation through art. My outreach has spanned Canada, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, France and beyond in participatory programs. I enjoy the challenge of commissions, that so far have included city festivals and Rock n’ Roll Marathon -10K marathons, wine labels, United Nations -banners and more. Known in North County, San Diego, as an art advocate championing for emerging and professional artists alike, I enjoy ever growing. I host a plinth of pride in all my projects, especially The Stardust Arts, a program which I founded to provide and art education to underserved youth/adults. Nothing like reaching for the stars to succeed.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Art is ever-changing and always seems to take on a life of its own, when it comes from emotions. We are always developing and becoming a better person, I revel in expanding artistic practice through art education to the public and to underserved youth/adults. There is so much to explore with your heart, memories and emotions that art become a symphony in your mid as you browse and look at artworks. They are mean to be harmonious with your moods at any point in time, and are so diverse. It is magical, I am happiest when I am giving back.
Contact Info:
- Email: cheryl@cherylehlersart.com
- Website: https://cherylehlersart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylehlersart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cherylehlersart/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CherylEhlers
- Youtube: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CherylEhlersArt
- Other: https://flomagic.com
Image Credits
Cheryl Ehlers
