ARTIST STATEMENT

In the simplicity of nature there is perfection but not all of nature is perfect. As a keen observer of nature I find that I am drawn to those things that at first appear perfect, but upon deeper scrutiny are actually quite the contrary.

I love the imperfect parts of nature that resolve themselves into sheer beauty without complexity. There is a natural shape to things that I like to allow to prevail in my work; not the usual perfection of things but the unexpected parts of nature that we can only experience with close examination.

I am striving to show the uniqueness of nature in all of its elegant splendor. It truly is the harmony in chaos that I see. That in itself can create the ultimate experience in art for me, as well as the amazing process from within, when time really does stand still as the creation of art unfolds. There is a joyful freedom in Abstract Expressionism.

ABOUT THE ARTIST | Cheri Lee

Cheri Lee grew up on the Columbia River in Central Washington State. This is where she cultivated her close relationship with nature, a love for living in the country and watching the seasons change. She traveled and lived in Alaska for several years and also worked on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline at the Arctic Circle. The terrain there was vast, colorful and without doubt inspired her interest in Abstract Expressionism.

She has traveled in the USA in search of warm climates and warm colors and “Walked in the footsteps of Georgia O’Keeffe” in Taos and Abiquiú, New Mexico. She has also traveled to Chile, and Europe with several sojourns to the south of France where her ancestors began. She enjoyed painting in Giverny and Monet’s Garden, as well as St. Remy, Avignon, the St. Pierre Valley, and Les Baux. Just to name a few of her favorite places. She is currently in Bend, Oregon and loves hiking and painting in such a beautiful and diverse area.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Painting and Drawing from Southern Oregon University, graduating Magna Cum Laude with Honors. She also studied Zenga Waterbrush Painting with Chinese Waterbrush Master, Alok, and Haiku & Zenga Waterbrush Painting. While at Southern Oregon University she focused on the art of color, while taming a fierce fascination with the macro world. She then developed her own style of macro-impressionism in oil painting and palette knife technique. She also creates large format contemporary charcoal drawings and an intimate style of design in watercolor and ink.

She whole heartedly believes as Robert Henri clearly states in his book ‘The Art Spirit’:

“We are not here to do what has already been done.”