Cheryl was raised on a property on the outskirts of Canberra, Australia, and developed a love of nature and art at an early age. Over the years she has undertaken studies in drawing, oils, calligraphy and photography. In 2000 Cheryl discovered her passion: botanical watercolour painting. She continues to develop her artistic skills, now painting on a regular basis and attending occasional master classes.
Cheryl's style of painting has evolved over the years, and involves building up the colour in many layers of soft washes, creating an almost translucent effect. She intensifies the final painting with some darker washes and dry brush work. She particularly enjoys painting natives especially eucalypts, and has done many fruit studies.
Cheryl’s works have been displayed and sold in various galleries and exhibitions, and she has completed numerous commissions. Her works are held in private collections in Australia, UK, Switzerland, USA and Canada. In 2003 she and several other artists initiated Canberra Botanical, an annual exhibition featuring works of local artists. In 2005 and 2007 she had paintings accepted into the renowned Botanica exhibition at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, all of which sold. In 2006 Cheryl was a finalist in The Australian Artist magazine art challenge, and in the same year one of her paintings was selected to be the signature painting for Canberra Botanical 2006. She is a member of the Botanical Art Society of Australia (BASA), Wildlife and Botanical Artists (ACT) (WABA) and Artists Society of Canberra (ASOC).
Awards/Achievements
2005 Encouragement award for botanical art – Wildlife and Botanical Artists Society (ACT)
2006 Painting of Satsuma Plum chosen to be signature painting for Canberra Botanical 2006 exhibition
2006 Finalist in The Australian Artist magazine art challenge “Your Favourite Subject”
2006 2nd place “Still Life” section – Artists’ Society of Canberra (ASOC) members’ exhibition
2006 3rd place “Still Life” section – ASOC members’ exhibition
2006 Highly Commended “Transparent Watercolour” section – ASOC members’ exhibition
2007 1st place “Fruit and vegetable” section – Botanical Art Society of Australia member’s exhibition
2007 Highly Commended “Fruit and vegetable” section – Botanical Art Society of Australia member’s exhibition
2007 Dr Helen Hewson Traditional Botanical Art Award – Wildlife and Botanical Artists Inc 8th members’ annual exhibition and art prize
2008 2nd place “Still Life” section – ASOC members’ exhibition