Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherry Schetiel.
Hi Sherry, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I do not remember a time in my life when I was not an artist. My parents enrolled me in painting classes from the age of 5 because I had always shown an interest in art. I create things for the joy of it! I hope to inspire the viewer to think more creatively about the world around them…to find beauty everywhere. In my classes, I want to enable people feel more comfortable exploring their creative side. With my jewelry, I want to help the wearer express their inner artist and individuality by offering a choice that is one of a kind and sure to spark a conversation.
I have a BFA from Middle Tennessee State University with an emphasis in commercial art and a minor in metals and photography. Many of the media that I work in are self taught, but build on the skills that I have accumulated in my lifetime. I have had my mixed media published in Cloth Paper Scissors magazine and in the November 2015 issue of Artful Blogging Magazine and have been featured in three issues of Belle Armoire JewelryMagazine. At this time, I sell my work locally at gallery 48 and Bleu 32 in Columbia, TN, and in my Etsy shop. I have also written and illustrated 3 children’s books and a book about art journaling.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been periods in my life that I had more time to devote to my artistic endeavors and other times not so much. When I had my two sons, I chose to homeschool them and so that was definitely a draw away from my personal creative time, but I do find that being around children and teaching and creating with them sparks so much exploration and breakthroughs that it fueled my creativity even more. Currently my grandkids are my new sparks!
Having places to show and sell my jewelry keep my motivation up and getting feedback from people who enjoy my work is always a plus.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I work in several different media and each one kind of fuels the others. I have a hard time sticking with just one thing and I don’t find that a problem. It’s hard to imagine just doing one type of thing all the time. My artwork might not be all in a style that is recognizable as my own,but I do find that I have certain themes such as colors and textures, and a vibe that people who know my work can recognize.
My jewelry has a rustic bohemian vibe. I like to do a lot of work with copper and I like beads and findings that remind one of something that could have been found in an ancient jewelry chest. Sometimes I add color to the copper by using a torch and vitreous enamel. I also sometimes incorporate found objects from nature and leather and random oddities that I have collected.
I currently paint in watercolors, acrylics, oil paints, chalk and oil pastels. I love landscapes and seascapes, and clouds are one of my specialties.
My art journaling is very eclectic and uses a lot of mixed media and quotes that inspire me. My book that I wrote about art journaling is totally full of pictures of my art journal pages. The title is Sketches Of The Soul-Nurturing Creativity With Art Journaling.
I’ve written three children’s books so far and they are lighthearted themes with illustrations that I created by drawing them on my iPad using the Procreate app.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My parents were very supportive of my artistic journey and made sure that I had instruction from many people. I had an aunt that would always have art materials for my sister and me to create to our hearts’ content when we stayed with her. My husband also has been one of my biggest cheerleaders and made it possible for me to stay home and pursue my artistic journey.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/stillwatersart
- Facebook: facebook.com/stillwatersstudio
