Wild Inspiration!
Cher Anderson is a wildlife artist, and wildlife photographer who was born in Kingston, New York, lived her youth in Mexico City and now resides in Chandler, Arizona where her art studio is located and she pursues her lifelong goal of being an accomplished artist.
She began experimenting with drawing and watercolor painting at the age of 16 and was determined to be able to produce quality art regardless of any instruction. During her high school years, she entered a watercolor painting into a competition for Black History Month and won first place in the city of El Paso, Texas. Soon after she started studying what at the time was known as Commercial Art and graduated high school fully employed as a designer of logos for a large sportswear firm. For two years she hand drew designed for NFL teams, Celebrity Golf Tournaments, Country Clubs around the United States, University Sports Teams and many others.
In 1985, she was accepted into the Kermezzar, a juried art exhibit in El Paso, Texas, where she proceeded to sell 80% of her exhibit. At this time her subjects were female faces, figures and animals with the focus being in their eyes. Her technique had evolved into painting with mixed media of pastels, pencils and watercolors on a variety of textures.
During the following years, she had several one-woman shows sponsored by banks, community centers and galleries.
In 1988, Cher was honored by an invitation by the government of Chihuahua City, Mexico, to exhibit in a one -woman show, which took place that year.
At the end of 1989, Cher and her son, at the time 4 years old, relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona and Cher decided to use her talent in a practical way and enrolled in the Collins Institute for Graphic Design. Within 13- months she accomplished graduating with honors and an Associates degree in Graphic Design and Advertising. She was immediately employed by Larry John Wright Advertising Agency in Mesa, Arizona where she worked for a couple of years before deciding to start her own graphic design firm to be able to raise her young son and have work flexibility. Very soon, it became successful and had too much work and not enough time to do it all. In 1994, one of her largest clients offered to hire her in-house to work directly with their clientele. That decision was life-changing and launched what she felt was the beginning of the rest of her life.
For the next 6 years, Cher designed labels for nutritional products for a private label manufacturing company called Integrated Health Network, did all the magazine ads and any other form of advertising, created catalogs, brochures, and magazines for print and publication.
Soon her gypsy spirit and need to see travel took over and she embarked on new adventures and return to her love of painting.
Through research, Cher found out about a workshop for wildlife artists which would be held in Kalispell, Montana and although she had never once painted with acrylic media created her first photo-realistic painting to present during the workshop.
During this workshop taught by Terry Issac and Susan Labouri, Cher realized this would be the path she would follow to perfect her skills. She studied many of the masters like Carl Brenders, Robert Bateman, and John Seery-Lester to be able to learn technique, style and the ability to paint hyper-realistic paintings. She already was an avid photographer and now her focus became wildlife. The experience of meeting her subjects and then creating a painting that portrayed a fleeting moment captured was the ultimate experience. Cher began traveling the world and has had the opportunity to photograph wildlife in many hidden corners of this incredible earth.
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In December of 2016, Cher and an amazing team, put together an art exhibit featuring Cher’s lifelong works of art including, original paintings, over 80 wildlife and nature photographs, 30 fine art photographs, and a fashion show that rivaled Victoria Secret’s.
The incredible event titled “Essence of Beauty” drew over 500 people who traveled from all corners of the United States, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico and, even Australia.
Cher’s commitment to her art, the natural world and her passion for animals has driven her to teach herself everything she has needed and continues to need to be the creative artist she desires to become.
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Cher became involved in the organization based in Vancouver, BC named Artists for Conservation and has participated as an artist in their annual juried exhibit for several years. She has also become a Patron to the organization and a member of their board facilitating opening the AFC's Canadian sister in the United States.
"Most importantly, I have raised an incredible son, and have been blessed with a never-ending need to be a better person, contribute to wildlife conservation, and give to others. I hope to one day be an amazing artist and be remembered by my love for the animals I encountered throughout the world and that I have painted"