Cheryl A Richey

Biography

Cheryl Richey

Artist Statement

My artistic journey is fueled by my desire to experiment with ways to explore and understand nature’s mysteries and wisdom (including my own).  A penchant for haiku poetry also influences my work.  My process often begins by creating spontaneous, mixed-media surfaces, e.g., charcoal and water, pouring paint to create unexpected and interesting textures, staining papers and applying these without a thought to what I might “discover” on the surface. 

Recently, I have been working more three dimensionally, using acrylic gels and vinyl spackle (plus sand, sawdust, and string) to build up relief patterns on wood and canvas panels. Once the thickly-textured surfaces are created, I endeavor to discover or excavate the elusive and symbolic meanings of my apparently haphazard marks, shapes, and gestural renderings by applying glazes over these topographical structures using depressions and protrusions as guidelines for where to lay the paint. 

I enjoy “making sense of nonsense”, trying to find meaning (hidden, elusive, symbolic) in haphazard beginnings.  This process stretches my mind, pulls me into a discovery, problem-solving mode.  I like the cognitive/intellectual aspect of this part of the process. Ultimately, my work succeeds when I am able to integrate free experimentation and deep personal expression. I love the idea that a finished piece is like a haiku poem, an elegant visual metaphor for a profound truth.




Artistic  Background

Gage Academy of Art, Seattle, WA, 2010. 
La Conner Art Workshops, La Conner, WA, 2005 – 2010.
Pratt Fine Arts Center, Seattle, WA, 2005, 2009.
Intensive Studies Seminar, Taos, NM, 2008.
Coupeville Arts Center, Coupeville, WA, 1999 – 2005.

Art studies include classes and workshops with numerous regionally and nationally-known artists, including Kathleen Brennan, Katherine Chang-Liu, Pat Dews, Fran Larsen, Skip Lawrence, Carol Merrick, Alex Powers, Julia Ricketts, Pat SanSoucie, Christopher Schink, Kimberly Trowbridge, and Peggy Zehring.

Education and Employment

Ph.D.       1974    University of California, School of Social Welfare, Berkeley, California.
M.S.W.     1971    University of California, School of Social Welfare, Berkeley, California.
B.A.         1968    San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California, Social Welfare.

1973 – 2003       Professor, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle.

 

Solo Exhibitions

  • Fremont Jewelry Design, Seattle, 2010.
  • Festivities, Edmonds, 2010.
  • Dolce la Belle, Edmonds, 2008-2009.
  • Marni Muir Gallery, Seattle, 2008.
  • Fremont Jewelry Design, Seattle, 2006.
  • Sanctuary Gallery at University Unitarian Church, Seattle, 2003-2004.
  • Orcas Center, Orcas Island, 2003.
  • On the Edge Fine Art Gallery, La Conner, 2003.

Juried Group Exhibitions

  • “The Forest for the Trees,” Washington Department of Ecology Headquarters, Lacey, 2010.
  • “New Directions,” Skagit Artists Together , The Depot Arts Center, Anacortes, 2010.
  • “A Room Full of Sisters,” C Art Gallery, Seattle, 2010.
  • “Contemporary Art Juried Show,” Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, 2010.
  • Eastside Association of Fine Arts, 34th Annual Juried Exhibition, Bellevue, 2009.
  • “Passion for the Cure,” C Art Gallery, Seattle, 2009.
  • LiveARTS Bothell, Bothell, 2008, 2009.
  • Seattle Co-Arts Annual Juried Exhibition, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009.
  • Columbia Tower Club, Columbia Center, Seattle, November 2008 - April 2009.
  • Parklane Gallery First Annual Juried Exhibition, Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, 2008.
  • The West Coast Paper Art Exhibition, Kirsten Gallery, Seattle, 2008.
  • Women Painters of Washington Autumn Exhibition, Mercer Island, 2008.
  • Northwest Collage Society, Summer Exhibit, Ballard, 2008.
  • Edmonds Arts Festival, Edmonds, 2007, 2008, 2010.
  •  “Orange Crush,” Lynnwood Arts Commission Art Gallery, Lynnwood, 2007.
  • Skagit Artists Together, 2007 Studio Tour, LaConner, 2007.
  • Solovei Art Gallery, Everett, 2007.
  • Skagit Artists Together, La Conner, 2005; Anacortes, 2007.
  • “On Wing,” Puget Sound Bird Fest, Edmonds Conference Center, 2007.
  • Blue Heron Gallery (3-person show), Vashon, 2007.
  • North Seattle Community College Gallery, Seattle, 2006.
  • Kenmore Art Show , Seattle, 2005.
  • Phinney Center Gallery, Seattle, 2002.

Galleries

  • Women Painters of Washington Gallery, Seattle, 2008, 2009, 2010.
  • Gallery North, Edmonds, 2006, 2007 (featured artist), 2008 (featured artist).
  • Kindred Circle Art Gallery (featured artist), Edmonds, 2006.
  • Isle of Art, Langley, 2005.
  • On the Edge Fine Art Gallery, La Conner, 2005.
  • Northwest  Style, Seattle, 2003-2004.

Honors

  • Savior-Faire Acrylic Award, Contemporary Art Juried Show, Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, 2010.
  • Northwest Collage Society Painting Award, Summer Exhibit, Ballard, 2008.
  •   Painting of the Month, Second Place Award, Seattle Co-Arts, January, 2006.
  • Guest Artist, Sunny Arms Artist Cooperative, Seattle, 2004.
  • “Gate to Red Mountain” selected for 2004 National Association of Social Workers Annual Auction.
  • Featured Artist, University of Washington/School of Social Work holiday card, 2004.

Publications

  • “Cheryl A. Richey, Mixed Media Artist,” Best of Worldwide Mixed Media Volume I, forthcoming.  Kennedy Publishing:  Williamsburg, Virginia.  www.bestofartists.com.
  •  “From academic to artist:  Richey retires to new career,” University Week:  Arts & Entertainment.  University of Washington, Seattle, October 30, 2008.  http://uwnews.org/uweek/index.aspx
  • “Cheryl A. Richey:  Beyond the Surface,” The Savvy Collector’s Preview Guide to Upcoming Shows/Washington.  American Art Collector, August, 2008.
  • “Art Takes Flight,” Pilchuck Audubon Profile, January, 2008.
  • “Visual Arts,” Island View, January, 2007.
  •  “Heron’s Birds…on View Through January,” The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, January 2007.
  • “Kindred features ‘Circles of Light’,” Edmonds Beacon, March 16, 2006.

Professional Affiliations

  • Women Painters of Washington (juried) member.
  • Seattle Co-Arts, active (juried) member; Chair, Scholarship Committee, 2007 – 2009.
  • Skagit Artists Together.
  • Northwest Collage Society.

Representation