From Sherri's DPW Gallery Page:Sherri Cassell, a California native, was born and grew up in Santa Paula, a small town located in the Santa Clara Valley surrounded by lush avocado, orange and lemon orchards. She remembers as a child looking up at the beautiful mountains surrounding her home town and playing underneath the tall eucalyptus trees. This was the beginning of her love for the California landscape. (click to read more)
Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.
I went to cosmetology school to get my manicuring license, in school an artist demonstrated using an airbrush to paint designs on finger nails. I was so fascinated that I immediately got an airbrush and started specializing in nail art. I would airbrush and hand paint designs on the nails of my clients for holidays and special occasions.
One day I was talking to one of my nail clients who is an accomplished artist and I mentioned to her that I would love to learn to paint more lasting art, on canvas or paper, not just nails. She told me about an artist that taught watercolor and that I should take lessons. I called and set up lessons; that was the beginning of my art career.
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| Sparkling Meadow (click to view) Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing Sherri's interview. |
Did you have any stops and starts in you painting career?
Yes, I would have 9-5 day jobs off and on for many years. I would have to work my art schedule around work and sometimes even put it completely on the back burner for a while. I am so thankful now that I can focus on my art full time.
What mediums and genres have you experimented with?
I started out studying watercolor and then went to a demonstration on pastels and fell in love with the medium. Most of my art career I have focused on pastel but recently have started painting in oil and also gouache and love both of those mediums. I think I may concentrate on them more in the future but will always find time for my pastels. I also have a love for art journaling where I sketch and still play with watercolor.
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| Reflective Moment (click to view) |
Who or what inspires you most?
As a landscape artist the land and sky inspire me the most, especially the sky and its endless beauty.
What does procrastination look like for you?
Spending too much time on social media instead of painting! I love Instagram and sometimes go down the rabbit hole when on it!
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| Spring Fling (click to view) |
What techniques work to ensure that you make time for your art?
Getting an early start in the morning works for me, I definitely do my best work before noon. Having a plan on what painting I am going to work on for the next day helps too, I might end up working on another painting but at least the goal got me into the studio.
How do you generally arrive at ideas for you paintings?
I did a lot of outdoor painting a few years ago. I would get my ideas from being right out in nature, taking photographs also for future ideas. In the last year I have painted more from my imagination, abstracting the landscape just a little and exaggerating colors. I work in a series at times and get my inspiration from my last work. I ask myself how can I paint that subject in a new way.
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| Sunny Day (click to view) |
How do you keep art “fresh?” What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant and engaging?
It seems I can’t avoid burnout at times, but when I am experiencing it I remind myself it is just temporary and either try to just push through it or take a little break for a day or two or week; however long I need. One thing that does help to avoid it at times is switching back and forth from oils to pastels or gouache or even trying a completely new medium that I have never worked with before.
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| Blue Sky (click to view) |
What do you feel you are learning about right now as an artist?
I am learning to not take myself so serious! To just keep practicing my art and have a fun time doing it!
What makes you happiest about your art?
Art is healing and nourishing to my soul and I am so blessed to have it in my life!
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| Favorite Place (click to view) |
Thanks, Sherri!
© 2018 Sophie Marine
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