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). This post mid-life exploration has become a major turning point for me and I have been encouraged by others' responses to my work as well as the trememdous impact this journey is having on me personally. 

I have written haiku poetry for years and I find that many of my paintings are like haiku in that they strive to capture and communicate simple but fundamental truths.  I am also drawn to Japanese literati and nihonga paintings and screens that honor both traditional nature themes as well as artistic individualism.

My process often begins with creating spontaneous, textured surfaces.  I then consider how to “make sense out of nonsense.”  Much of my work focuses on place - - solitary, vast, misty, mysterious spaces that I would love to visit.  My process of creating these spaces succeeds when I am able to integrate free experimentation and deep personal expression.

 

 

Education and Artistic Background

In 1973, with a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, I joined the faculty at the School of Social Work, University of Washington.  After 30 years in academia, I retired to focus more intensively on my artistic journey.  I have studied with numerous regionally and nationally-known artists, including Kathleen Brennan, Katherine Chang-Liu, Pat Dews, Fran Larsen, Skip Lawrence, Carol Merrick, Alex Powers, Pat SanSoucie, Christopher Schink, and Peggy Zehring.

 

Juried Exhibitions

• “Contemporary Art Juried Show,” Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, 2010.
• Eastside Association of Fine Arts, 34th Annual Juried Exhibition, Bellevue, 2009.
• "Passion for the Cure" (group show), C Art Gallery, Seattle, 2009.
  
• LiveARTS Bothell (group show),Bothell, WA 2009.
  
• Seattle Co-Arts Annual Juried Exhibition (group show), Mercer Island, 2009.
  
• Columbia Tower Club, Columbia Center, Seattle, November 2008 - October 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 (group show), Summer Exhibit, Ballard, 2008.
• LiveARTS Bothell (group show), Bothell, 2008.
• Edmonds Arts Festival (group show), Edmonds, 2008.
• Seattle Co-Arts Annual Juried Exhibition (group show), Edmonds, 2008.
• “Orange Crush,” Lynnwood Arts Commission Art Gallery (group show), Lynnwood, 2007.
• Skagit Artists Together, 2007 Studio Tour, LaConner, 2007.
• Solovei Art Gallery (group show), Everett, 2007.
• Seattle Co-Arts Annual Juried Exhibition (group show), Bothell, 2007.
• Skagit Artists Together (group show), Anacortes, 2007.
• Edmonds Arts Festival (group show), Edmonds, 2007.
•  “On Wing,” Puget Sound Bird Fest (group show), Edmonds Conference Center, 2007.
• Blue Heron Gallery (3-person show), Vashon, 2007.
• Seattle Co-Arts Annual Juried Exhibition (group show), Mercer Island, 2006.
• North Seattle Community College Gallery (group show), Seattle, 2006.
• Skagit Artists Together (group show), La Conner, 2005.
• Kenmore Art Show (group show), Seattle, 2005.
• Sanctuary Gallery at University Unitarian Church (solo exhibition), Seattle, 2003-2004.
• Orcas Center (solo exhibition), Orcas Island, 2003.
• Phinney Center Gallery (group show), Seattle, 2002.

 

Galleries

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

 

Honors

• 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 Artists 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

• Women Painters of Washington Gallery, Columbia Center, Seattle, Washington, www.womenpainters.com.
• Festivities, Edmonds, Washington, www.festivitiesfinegifts.com.