Artist’s Statement:
Cheri Block Sabraw
January 2019
My artwork reflects me: a lover of all things natural—landscapes and animals native to the American West. I work slowly—deliberately because of the subject matter and of my desire to create art that evokes emotion rather than reason from the viewer.
I have returned to oil painting after a long hiatus. Such an expanse of time has given me the patience to see the light in all things from old Clydesdale mares to shy barn owls, from the red rocks of Arches National Park to the Hill Country of Texas.
Classes taken recently:
2017: Scottsdale Artists’ School: Drawing and Painting Horses in the Light taught by Ned Jacobs
Awards:
Juried shows: Three of my paintings were accepted into the West Valley Art Museum Celebration of Art, judge Daniel Finley 2019, Peoria, Arizona.
City of Goodyear Celebration of Artists, 2019, Goodyear, Arizona
Distinguishing yourself as an artist is very tough because so many wonderful artists are out there painting beautifully. I find that when perusing art magazines that specialize in landscapes and plein air art, many of the paintings look similar to me. Lovely but similar.
I want my animals and landscapes to evoke an emotion from viewers, perhaps to recall a pleasant memory of a time in their lives. I strive for depth of feeling in my work on animals especially. I hope you see the contented but watchful look of this mother Hereford as she nurses her calf.
Texas Oaks and Bluebonnets 12×16 oil on linen 2018
Dixie Rose 9×12 oil on linen 2018 in Kris’s private collection
Oak Creek 16×20 oil on canvas in private collection 2018
Teri’s View this is a large painting 20×24 oil on Belgian linen 2018 gift to Teri
Close up detail of Teri’s View
Palouse Barn 9×12 oil on linen 2018 in private collection
Scarlett and Mandolin 2018 oil on linen 12x 16
My work reflects me-a small person with big ambitions. I am an amateur photographer and an oil painter. I paint from my own photography.
My preference is to work on large canvases but recently I have been practicing on smaller ones.
I paint in oils and delight in all things equine and Western.
I took a class from Ned Jacobs in December of 2017 titled Drawing Horses in the Light. At the Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch for 5 days, I spent many hours each day standing around a corral and drawing. The small paintings below, of Jerry the paint draft horse, came from that experience.
Nevada Reverie, 12×16 oil on linen 2018
Contentment 12×16 Oil on Linen Not for Sale 2018
P.T. 109 12×16 Oil on linen 2018 SOLD
Meadow Muse 12×16 oil on linen 2018 SOLD
the Rancho 9×12 oil on linen 2018
Jerry at the Salt River 9×12 oil on linen 2018 Not For Sale
My Friends, the Clydes 16×20 Oil on Canvas 2017 These Clydesdale sisters live at the bottom of my road, so every day as I drive by, I am treated to the graceful beauty of these gentle giants. I took this photo (and ultimately painted it) as they were coming for apples. Not For Sale because this is my favorite painting.
At Rest 24×30 Oil on Canvas 2017 NFS I love bison, such a proud symbol of our Western past. This July I am planning a trip to Montana to photograph them. A small herd from the Blackfoot Tribe out of Browning, Montana has arrived at the Oakland Zoo. Two males will come from the Yellowstone herd. As soon as the installation is available, I will be there with my camera!
No Discouraging Words 24×36 Oil on Canvas 2017 Custom framing This painting is large and textured with impasto. I called it No Discouraging Words for the song Home on the Range. For Sale $1500.00 custom deep wood frame
Highway 25, San Benito Country 12×18 Acrylic on Canvas 2016 When I first went back to painting after a 30-year hiatus, I began in acrylics. This painting is a scene off Highway 25 in San Benito County when the afternoon light was beginning to wane. $400.00 custom frame
Our Tenant 16×20 Oil on Canvas 2017 NFS (private collection) We have two barn owl boxes on our property, one in our meadow and one in the olive tree orchard. Last June, while having a glass of wine on our little deck in the orchard, we were SHOCKED to have a barn owl momma come out of the box at dusk. We had no idea!
The Double O 24×12 Oil on Canvas 2016 NFS (private collection) This amazing land form is in Arches National Park and the oversized human on the top is my brother, Jim, who climbed it. This painting hangs in his dental office.
Jerry and the Big Dipper 9×12 oil on linen There is Jerry again, enjoying the evening stars. The painting hangs in the Arizona home of my friends, Tom and Chris.
