Cheryl Harshman 1
Innovation, inventiveness, strong impressions and positive attitudes are exuded by the works of two unassuming women artists who have each produced a very strong body of work. These award-winning women have studied hard and gathered their inspiration from fellow artists and their immediate surroundings. They have a strong work ethic, which is defined through their work. Each has worked hard to make progress in their respective fields. Their new works are being shown at the November 1st, First Friday “Gallery Hop” opening at Artworks around town. The gallery hop runs from 5 to 8 and is open to the public. Artworks around town is located in the Historic Wheeling Centre Market, at 2200 Market Street. Ms. Harshman and Ms. Rhodes, as well as many of the Artworks’ artists, will be present to meet the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Cheryl Harshman started with a needle and thread and now produces large abstract, colorfully strong pieces which represents her ideas of “putting puzzle pieces together and exploring the ‘what ifs’ of creation and the thrill of that creating.” Emerging from a long line of craftspeople, brick masons, fiber artists, painters, potters, and gardeners, Cheryl has crafted her own way of making her individual “things”.
Cheryl Harshman 2
After taking a clay monoprint workshop with Mitch Lyons, Cheryl realized her creative life had changed. Her prints, combined with her collage and painting has pushed her work into new areas of exploration. Each stitch, each mark, each brush stroke she makes, changes the work and moves it in a new and different direction. Cheryl’s work is ever progressing and changing.
RhodesC_Nautilus
Christine Rhodes, from Parkersburg, is another West Virginia artist that is influenced by her surroundings and expresses her interest in nature in her experimental and strong work. Recent works exude a powerful force from this diminutive five-foot frame and quiet demeanor, which has been influenced by nature’s rocks, water, and words. Influenced by a recent trip to Colorado in 2011, in whose Rocky Mountains, boulder lined canyons and rushing mountain streams, Christine found other abstract subjects for her mixed media approach. Rocks and water took on new meaning for this artist. Sometimes a word describing the scene resulted in a new body of work, a personal interpretation of the power, strength, and majesty of creation.
RhodesC_VeinOfGold
These two women are their own forces of nature. Their interpretations of nature and its power need to be seen to be appreciated. These women are original, strong artists with stories to tell in their work. The work is exceptional, new, and original and will be a feast for your senses.
The North Gallery, our student gallery, will feature the students of Shauna Benson from Union Local Elementary School. Shauna’s students create the most refreshing artwork. This school’s work is a perennial treat.
