Bio
Cherry Taylor grew up in Montgomery, Alabama and came to Austin in the seventies to escape both the violence of the times and the pain of severe childhood trauma. Although art and music always came naturally, rent and groceries had to come first, so it wasn’t until retirement that she was able to begin to practice in earnest.
In her thirties, she was able to spend many hours in some of the greatest art galleries in the world having married a man from England and taking side trips after visiting with his family. But without a formal education the only art for which she had any experience was quilting and that is where it started. She studies many art forms now and is able to incorporate all these new skills into her fiber art.
Although Cherry’s favorite form of expression is through her art quilts and she is also a skilled painter and mixed media artist.
Cherry also enjoys Tai Chi, teaching art as well as writing and recording music.
Juried Shows and Other Events:
Neill-Cochran Museum “Water In Texas” – March, 2024
ArtUsCo “Colors Unravelled” – July 2023
Neill-Cochran Museum “Texas Trees” – March, 2023
People’s Gallery 2019
Old Bakery and Emporium November, 2016
People’s Gallery 2016
Capital of Texas Quiltfest September, 2016
Hunting Art Prize – April, 2016
Artist Statement
Making art is therapeutic for me and has helped me overcome many obstacles in life. I didn’t find the opportunity to pursue this passion until after I retired but I am working very hard to make up for lost time. Although it may seem strange, I find drawing to be difficult and tedious, but I love to work with with fabric and other mixed media. Incidentally, I am working on my drawing skills.
My favorite art tool is my sewing machine which I use to make quilted art. I love the sound of it and watching the stitches and colors of the thread create texture and bend colors in the fabric. But I am really a kid in the art world and I spend a lot of time learning watercolor, oils, drawing, photography, and many other mixed media techniques.
I practice Tai Chi, Kung Fu, and Yoga and am also a singer, songwriter and musician. Each Spring and Fall I work as a volunteer art instructor for the Lifetime Learning Institute which organizes inexpensive classes for people over 55.
If I have a purpose in this life, it’s to help others realize that we are all artists, we are all creative, and if we only experiment and practice, we will find that passion that allows our spirit to express ourselves without inhibition. There is something powerfully healing and therapeutic in that.