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 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 has completed numerous commissions and won several awards in recent years. Her works are held in private collections in Australia, UK, Switzerland, USA and Canada. Since 2005 she has exhibited in the renowned Botanica exhibition at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney. She is a member of the Botanical Art Society of Australia (BASA), Artists Society of Canberra (ASOC), Queanbeyan Art Society and Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
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
2009 1st place “Pushing the Boundaries” section – Botanical Art Society of Australia member’s exhibition
2009 Painting of Sarracenia sp. used as signature painting for Canberra Botanical 2009 exhibition
2009 2nd place "Watercolour" section – Rotary Club of Queanbeyan and Art Society of Queanbeyan Outdoor Art Show
2010 Highly Commended “ Watercolour” section – ASOC members’ exhibition
2011 Best Still Life – ASOC members’ exhibition