ARTISANS AT HANDLiving her dreamCheryl Ellenberger finally makes art a careerSTORY AND PHOTOS BY SHARON HENDERSONMaynooth native Cheryl Ellenberger always wanted to be an artist butwas dissuaded from pursuing it as a career, being warned she would“starve.” But finally Ellenberger took the plunge and her paintings havewon her admiration and awards.Would you describe your art for thoseunacquainted with your work?My art has been a journey, all my life, and is alwaysevolving. I have a love of colour and paint.It is a desire and challenge to make a mark, toshare a colourful landscape, a musical moment,or the light in a foreign country and to engage aviewer in my unique way. It keeps me paintingthe next and the next and the next in any medium,in any size.Did you always know that you wouldbe an artist?Since childhood I knew that I loved to draw.When I graduated from high school I wanted tobe an artist but I was told that I would starve andI listened. As I became an adult I pursued thethings that would bring financial security. For awhile I was sidetracked but things were alwayssimmering and being filed away. Now that I haveembraced art as a career, I am living my dream.What made you want to be an artist?I grew up on a farm in Maynooth, way up on ahill. There I was close to nature and could see theever-changing colours and light of the seasonsat all the times of day and I wanted to capturethem somehow. Animals, life cycles, textures,smells, big open spaces, big skies and alwaysthe weather controlling when and how thingshappen are the life experiences I “draw” from.How did you learn your craft? Do youhave any formal training?After trying a few post secondary options I discoveredSheridan College School of Design andCrafts and majored in Furniture and Wood. Irecently returned to school pursuing my dreamand graduated with a diploma in Fine Arts fromSt. Lawrence College. It was the best thing Iever did.What gives you inspiration for your art?Everything, everywhere is inspiration. A row ofchairs, a pile of rusty metal, my brother’s teamof horses, the sparkling light through the leaves,travelling to other countries, my photographs,seeing a new technique in painting, a musicianon stage with dramatic lighting, and even a favouritemovie and a scene that I can get lost in.Another inspiring aspect of this art journey isteaching it. I was told it would make me a betterpainter and I hope this is true.How has your work evolved over theyears?My art and pursuing it began with pencil, crayons,watercolour. Then markers, ink, design,sculpture, wood, fabric, ceramics, photography,stained glass, demolition and renovation,landscaping, paint, mixed media, murals,found objects, and upcycled and recycled works.Somehow all these things work together. Afterattending art college, I gained knowledge and understandingand with that came more confidence.28 I <strong>Country</strong> <strong>Roads</strong> • <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2013</strong>
Would you explain the process of creatinga piece of art?Creating a piece of art is a blend of using whatI know and sometimes what begins to happenby accident or choice. Sometimes it’s intuitiveand sometimes it’s not. As a painter, I get tobe the magician changing the scene to make itbrighter or bigger, or the opposite colour, or toleave something out, or put something in....ta da!What do you enjoy most about whatyou do?I create or paint for my pleasure mostly. Thatinner fire and passion and my brain so full ofideas can only be satisfied by doing it. There isthe joy and what it gives back to me, but also thechallenge. I get lost a little, I go to a place andI come back a little drained but in a good way.Do you plan every detail of the finalpieces ahead of time?If I planned every detail of a work I might getbored with it. I like ‘going with it’, it’s more ofan adventure.Have you received any awards or distinctionsfor your work in this field?I recently won the Best 2-Dimensional MixedMedia award for ‘Shopping in Avignon’ at theArt Gallery of Bancroft. When I graduated fromSt. Lawrence College, I received the AcademicCouncil Medal Award and the Brockville FineArts Alumni Award. In some strange way the rewardis not in the recognition but in doing andrealizing the growth and improvement.What wisdom do you possess thatmight be useful for those interested inpursuing a vocation in quality craftsmanship?Don’t give up. The more you do, the more youwant to do. If you make mistakes it just pushesyou to do the next one and the next one and thenext one, and do it better. Learn to see. Be original,genuine and unique.How can people access the fruits ofyour labour?You can view some of my work at my boutique/gallery, Clique 57, in the heart of downtown Bancroftor my home studio, Red Dog Studio, whenI am at home. Clique 57 is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Clique57 and you can see someof my work at www.reddogstudio.blogspot.com.I have a show coming up in September called“Fresh Paint” at the Art Gallery of Bancroft. •<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2013</strong> • <strong>Country</strong> <strong>Roads</strong> I29
Change language