Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheri Erdman.
Hi Cheri, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I have always been creative but in more than one way. I have been a therapist who used creative problem-solving with clients; an educator who created educational experiences for her students; an author who had two self-help books purchased by a major publisher; a celebrant who made personalized ceremonies for her clients, from weddings to house and baby blessings to celebration of life services. And since retirement in 2004, I have slowly transitioned to becoming a visual artist – moving from realistic watercolor to mixed media/collage to abstract acrylic painting.
When I retired, I had no idea I would become an active, professional artist. I always loved art, art history, and art museums. But me, an artist? No way. However, life can deliver surprises if we are open to following what interests us in each moment. I am a curious person who loves to learn new things, likes a challenge, and is okay moving in different directions, bringing along all the things I’ve learned before. People ask me, “How long did it take you to make that painting?” Like most other artists, my answer is, “My whole life.”
I’m also an artist who luckily landed in New Smyrna Beach, an art-supportive community. Because of living here, I have been privileged to go on art retreats at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, which local women artists organized. I have been a resident artist at the Hub on Canal for the past 6 years, have taken classes at the Artists’ Workshop, have been a member of The Art League of Daytona, and was invited into Beaux Arts of Central Florida. In addition, our local magazine publisher uses area artists’ work on their covers, and I have been asked several times for permission to use mine. And I have been in a working art studio with three other artists for the past 7 years. These things have given me many opportunities to create and exhibit my art.
It’s a life I never imagined nor even knew I wanted. But here I am, all that lifelong creative energy that was expressed in various ways culminating and informing my visual art. It’s a heartfelt, intellectual, experiential, and satisfying way to learn and live my life. I know how lucky I am.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The major challenge to my becoming an artist was believing I could do this. I had moments of “imposter syndrome,” insecurity, needing approval, and not trusting my voice or intuition.
With hindsight, I’ve realized that I did not know enough about art to accurately read what I was seeing; it was all about my ego, wanting to be good enough in others’ eyes by collecting compliments and awards. Now that my “eye” is better trained as an artist, I look at that earlier work and know I was on the right track.
I also learned that we all perceive differently, and what speaks to me may not speak to others. That is especially important for an abstract artist to understand – that what we create is often looked at with confusion (“I don’t get it”) and criticism as not being “real art” (“my kid could do a better painting”). People who do not “get it” do not understand there is nothing to get. It is an experience, so they must learn to enjoy the visual ride!
Occasionally, I get caught by these things: the judgment of others, not selling as much or getting as many awards as I would like (ego!), or doubting my abilities. But then I come back to the realization that these things are not important — what is important is that when I go into the studio to create, I am in the “flow,” where all else drops away except what is right in front of me. It’s my happy place.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a professional painter who primarily creates non-objective abstract art. I use acrylic paint and often incorporate paper collages into my pieces. This is a carryover from my earlier mixed media/collage classes for five years with a master teacher.
I am proud of the two exhibits I created with an abstract metal sculptor friend, Frederick Goldstein. Both of these exhibits were built around the idea of two abstract artists who work in different media using the work of each other for inspiration to create new pieces of work. The hope was to demonstrate how to “read” abstract art to people who do not “get” abstract art by using shape, color, and texture from one artist’s piece to inspire the other artist’s new work.
The first exhibit, “Abstract Sculpture and Painting: Interplay Between Metal and Canvas,” was at the Hub on Canal in New Smyrna Beach in 2020. We were then invited to exhibit at the News Journal Center in Daytona Beach in 2022. Having learned something about how we influenced each other’s work from the first exhibit we named “Whimsy Meets Geometry: Abstract Sculptures and Paintings.” The feedback we received from viewers was very positive, saying the pairings showed them how to experience and enjoy what they saw, even if it was abstracted. Mission accomplished!
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
It takes time and effort, and courage to put oneself out in the world of art, artists, galleries, and local art organizations. There can be competition among artists, as in any other field. However, there are artists out there who are willing to teach, mentor and help out beginning artists. I have only found mentors by taking classes and building an artistic community for myself. I could not have accomplished what I have without those teachers and mentors of my local artist community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cherierdmanart.com
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Cheri-Erdman-Art/100006373514151
Image Credits
Cheri Erdman
