Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Wilson.

Hi Cheryl, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

I am an abstract artist. I have my art studio in my home. I have had outside studios, but find working from my studio at home, allows me to work as long as I want!!!

I started my career as a young girl when I followed in my dad’s footsteps and joined the Air Force. My dad was in the Air Force Band, the protocol section so we traveled all over!! My mom, who was the academician was the smartest woman I ever knew. She STRONGLY told me not to pursue my art desires, but to get my degree. SO I did. I got several degrees, many certificates and eventually set up my own company and worked in the corporate world as a Risk Manager for many of the three letter agencies in Washington DC.

My career and my life took a turn when the dark world of dementia Alzheimer’s entered our world when my mom got sick. It was then I decided to give up my heels of the board room for a paint brush in my art studio and have not looked back. I thought, what if the dark world came for me?
I remember my first painting was a somewhat realistic painting of a small vase with two flowers. While I loved using a paint brush, I did not feel anything, it was flat to me.

I remember reading this article about how painting can heal your soul. It said painting allows you to express emotions …. releasing tension and heaviness you may feel inside. It’s a safe space to let go, process your feelings, and reconnect with yourself. As you release your passion on the canvas, you are healing.
So my second painting, was this large canvas. I painted this abstract silhouette of a woman’s back walking forward with her head looking slightly to the left. I do not know if it was a painting of my mom with all her accomplishments behind her and she was looking left as a final look at her life what she might remember as she further walked into her darkness. OR if it was me walking into a new journey of excitement and one last look at my life before I left the corporate world.

But when I finished the painting, I sat down and cried as I felt so much passion and release. I realized I had put my soul into the painting without thinking about form or what anyone might think, and it was like the painting took my hurt, pain, thoughts and transformed all of this on to the canvas.
SO, I started painting like this. I was learning and knew I had a lot to learn in respect to techniques, but I knew the journey. I learned I am an empath that I feel my surroundings.

As an empath, I deeply feel the energy, emotions, and stories of the world around me. I absorb the joy, sorrow, chaos, and feelings of my surroundings, and these feelings become the foundation of my abstract paintings. I translate the intangible into a visual language. My art becomes a reflection of what I sense but cannot always articulate—a raw, honest depiction of the human experience as I perceive it. Each piece is a dialogue between my emotions and the world, inviting viewers to feel, connect, and find their own meaning within the layers.
I remember when a new collector saw a painting of mine on my social media and called me asking to buy that painting. He did not know this, but the painting was called “Dancing in my Dreams.” He is the owner of a Ballroom dance studio. He said he had never purchased any abstract art, in fact did not know he even liked abstracts, but the painting spoke to him. He has reached out to me often to tell me how when I still looks at this painting, it speaks to him. He has it at the bottom of his stairs where is sees it every day when he gets up.

THAT is what I wanted. It is my hope that when I create my paintings from my soul, with the passion I feel inside, sometimes from what I am experiencing even at the moment I am painting from my surroundings, to be felt by the collector. I want my paintings, though born from the depths of MY passion and emotions, became a living entity, capable of stirring the soul of its new owner.

My art becomes more than a reflection of my journey—it transforms into a mirror of my collector’s world. It is like together, our stories intertwine BUT leaves my world and becomes a part of my collectors journey that breathes their stories going forward.

I put layers of paint, handmade papers, personal marks, repetitive loved papers that might be layers beneath that do not make it shown at the last layer, but a part of the painting’s story. Some of my paintings are 10 – 20 layers. Many times, once I start, the painting starts to paint itself. I add in my passion and intuition takes over. I am in constant learning about my art and explore new collections along the way. I honestly feel I will always be open to learning.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

I feel part of my success was my struggles I have faced as I always felt that any roadblock made me stronger and more appreciative of my journey.

My first struggle was the lack of support from my family. They saw me as a professional in the corporate world and to see me take my art journey so seriously was hard for them. I had to respectfully remind them I was not going back to the corporate world. I gave up my high heels of the boardroom for the paintbrush of my art studio!!

My second struggle was finding my path. I remember my first painting was a somewhat realistic painting of a small vase with two flowers. While I loved using a paint brush, I did not feel anything, it was flat to me. I did not feel any passion.

I remember at this same time, reading this article about how painting can heal your soul. It said painting allows you to express emotions …. releasing tension and heaviness you may feel inside. It’s a safe space to let go, process your feelings, and reconnect with yourself. As you release your passion on the canvas, you are healing.
So my second painting was this large canvas. I painted this abstract silhouette of a woman’s back walking forward with her head looking slightly to the left. I do not know if it was a painting of my mom with all her accomplishments behind her and she was looking left as a final look at her life what she might remember as she further walked into her darkness. OR if it was me walking into a new journey of excitement and one last look at my life before I left the corporate world.

But when I finished the painting, I sat down and cried as I felt so much passion and release. I realized I had put my soul into the painting without thinking about form or what anyone might think, and it was like the painting took my hurt, pain, thoughts and transformed all of this on to the canvas.
So, I started painting like this. I was learning and knew I had a lot to learn in respect to techniques, but I knew the journey. I learned I am an empath that I feel my surroundings.

This started me on my journey of 10 – 15 of layers in my work, many of my own handmade papers, marks and tools. Once I found my love, the directions of my creations became more clear.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

As an empath, I deeply feel the energy, emotions, and stories of the world around me. I absorb the joy, sorrow, chaos, and feelings of my surroundings, and these feelings become the foundation of my abstract paintings. I translate the intangible into a visual language. My art becomes a reflection of what I sense but cannot always articulate this raw, honest depiction of the human experience as I perceive it. Each piece is a dialogue between my emotions and the world, inviting viewers to feel, connect, and find their own meaning within the layers.

I remember when a new collector saw a painting of mine on my social media and called me asking to buy that painting. He did not know this, but the painting was called “Dancing in my Dreams.” He is the owner of a local large Ballroom dance studio. He said he had never purchased any abstract art, in fact did not know he even liked abstracts, but the painting spoke to him. He has reached out to me often to tell me how he stills looks at this painting, it speaks to him. He has it at the bottom of his stairs where is sees it every day when he gets up.

THAT is what I wanted. It is my hope that when I create my paintings from my soul, with the passion I feel inside, sometimes from what I am experiencing even at the moment I am painting from my surroundings, to be felt by the collector. I want my paintings, though born from the depths of MY passion and emotions, to become a living entity, capable of stirring the soul of its new owner. That is what I am the most proud of.

My art becomes more than a reflection of my journey—it transforms into a mirror of my collector’s world. It is like together, our stories intertwine BUT leaves my world and becomes a part of my collectors journey that breathes their stories going forward.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?

As an abstract artist, beyond creating with my passion, which I already spoke about, the tools in my studio are essential extensions of my creativity. The knowledge I have learned from my creative path had shown me the tools I use to be the ones that create with speaks to me personally. Each tool contributes to the textures, layers, and emotions that define my work. From traditional brushes to unconventional items, every piece of equipment plays a role in bringing my abstract visions to life.

My go-to tools for applying and shaping paint are brushes and palette knives. Large brushes help me create sweeping, dynamic strokes, while smaller ones allow for intricate details. Palette knives are indispensable for building texture and layering, giving my work depth and energy.

Beyond traditional tools, I love experimenting with everyday items. Sponges blend colors seamlessly, old credit cards scrape and create crisp lines, and many mediums like crackle paste adds playful textures. These unconventional tools inspire me to think creatively and push the boundaries of my process.
Sometimes, the most powerful tool I have is my own hands. There is a raw intimacy in applying paint directly with my fingers, allowing me to connect with the canvas in a deeply personal way. This tactile approach often results in some of my most expressive and emotive work.

My materials also play a vital role. I primarily work with acrylic paints because of their versatility and fast-drying nature. By incorporating gels and pastes, handmade papers, I can build layers and experiment with form, adding dimension and unique effects to my pieces. Mark-making tools like oil pastels, charcoal, and permanent markers further enrich my work, adding lines, shapes, and accents that give each piece a distinctive voice. A simple spray bottle helps me keep paints workable and adds fluidity to my techniques.

But to finish this thought, it is my passion while using each of these tools that create my success.

Pricing:

• I normally charge by the inch. I do a calculation of L x W then times 2.5
• I started my prices at .5 and increase the price as by paintings sold well at the price
• I offer wholesale prices to Stagers

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cherylwilsonart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylwilsonart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CherylwilsonArt/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/cherylwilsonart
• Other: http://intentionalartist.com/