Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cheryl Handy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Cheryl thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you ever had an amazing boss, mentor or leader leading you? Can you us a story or anecdote that helps illustrate why this person was such a great leader and the impact they had on you or their team?

My favorite boss understood my passion as an artist, which had little to do with the job I was hired to do, He gave me every opportunity to incorporate my artistry into my daily work. As a director of leasing for a real estate developer, I was charged with leasing commercial space within our buildings. I worked directly with the VP of leasing who assigned marketing tasks that utilized my illustrative skills, allowed me to curate and display art in the lobbies, and organize holiday craft shows. I worked directly with architects, web designers, arts organizations and more – which was a wonderful addition to simply preparing leases, verifying financials and attending to tenant issues. I was excited to show up for work daily.

When the real estate market died in 2008 and we all lost our jobs, my former boss proposed that he and I start our own company but unfortunately, he passed away before we could get it off the ground. I miss him dearly. I went on to have other supervisors who were good to me, but none like Tim who took the time to know me as a person, not just an employee.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve identified as an artist since about age 12. That’s 50 years of dreaming, learning, practicing, planning and wishing for a career as an artist. In those 50 years, I’ve raised a family, served in the military, and retired from a couple of careers. I think that after so many years creating I’d be a master of my craft by now, but I’m really just beginning to be my best self.

Most recently I thought I wanted to become a renowned portrait artist as people are one of my favorite subjects to paint. I still hope to become a standout in that genre, but I am anxious to get back into storytelling through my art. I recently sold a painting to Texas A&M University, San Antonio that is full of symbolism and, in my opinion, causes the viewer to write a storyline of their own. I always want to create a piece of artwork that will make a viewer stop and talk about it. If my work gets more than a passing glance AND a conversation about it, then I have accomplished something good.

My greatest accomplishments have been learning that I have touched someone with my art, or teaching, or just being a sounding board. I am honestly amazed when I encounter someone from my past or that I haven’t seen in a few years, who disclose to me that I have inspired them, helped them in some way, made them feel better about themselves. I am honestly amazed when people actually remember me.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

The internet has set a whole new precedent to getting an artist’s work seen by people worldwide. That’s wonderful and horrifying at the same time. The very best way to support artists is to stop stealing our work. Give us our props. If you share our work on social media, by all means, identify us as the artist. If you really like the work, contact us to purchase. Stop asking other artists to replicate our work for a cheaper price. Many artists sell affordable prints if the original is out of budget.

I had a co-worker once copy my art from my webpage and use it as a screensaver on her computer without first asking me. That’s a no-no. Had she asked, I most likely would have been flattered and readily given permission so long as my name was attached to it.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Painting and creating for me is therapeutic. It keeps me sane. Accolades and sales are wonderful but spending time in my studio creating and that feeling of accomplishment once I think a piece is finished is the best feeling. If someone else likes it enough to pay for it, then woo hoo!

Although I think a painting should “speak” for itself, I do enjoy expounding on my thought process and feelings while creating a specific piece without quite explaining the work to the viewer.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.handyconcepts.com
• Online Store: www.handyconceptAP.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HandyConcepts/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handyconceptsarts/
• YouTube: (1) Handy Concepts Arts – YouTube

Image Credits
Jenevieve G.