Cher Pruys – “A Day in the Life” Artist Showcase

Fusion Art is pleased to feature Canadian artist, Cher Pruys in its “A Day in the Life” series. In this series of Artist Showcases, the gallery reveals the “typical” day of many of its award-winning artists.

Cher is an award-winning, self-taught, artist who specializes in hyperrealism.

Below please find, in Cher’s own words, the answers to 12 questions about her, her art and her “typical” day as she gives us a glimpse into her artistic life.

How do you start your day?

I get up, do a 1-hour workout, and take my 4 dogs for a 1-hour walk.

How many days a week do your work on your art?

I paint every day, 8 hours on 4 days, and at least 4 hours on the other 3.

Do you have a home studio or do you go to an outside studio to work? Which do you prefer and why?

I have a home studio for painting and another studio in an out building for my glass kiln. I love being able to just go through the French doors to my other world! I have an incredible view of the Rainy River, with all kinds of wildlife to see.

What kind of art do you create?

I love to paint in water-based mediums, and do hyperrealism. Subject matter greatly varies, as I love painting a variety of things.

Walk us through your “typical” day?

5:00 am – Wake up, make tea, wash my face and get dressed in my workout clothes.

5:15 am – 1-hour workout with my husband.

6:15 am – Make toast for the 4 dogs and I, feed the 2 Maine Coon cats, and catch up on emails etc.

7:15 am – Head out for a 1-hour walk with the dogs and husband. Then I play with the dogs for a while, and try to catch up on any correspondence, bill paying etc.

9:00 am – I start working on my art.

12:00 pm -Take the dogs out to play in the yard (we have 100 acres, so there is lots of room). Make a Chai Tea Late, or a London Fog.

1:00 pm – Play piano for an hour, for another creative outlet. I have my teachers in piano, and have taught for 35 years.

2:00 pm – Back to painting until 6, then supper.

7:00 pm – I usually paint for another hour.

8:00 pm – Time with the husband and unwind for sleep!

On somedays, I opt for going out to take photos, or I go hiking, kayaking, cycling, cross country skiing, or whatever the weather and time of year dictate.

What has been your biggest challenge so far?

My biggest challenge to date was a series of 7 historic themed originals that were then made into oversized prints for a distillery and hotel that opened last year. Took tons of research, as accuracy was a must, and lots of work to invent the appropriate scene! I worked on that project for 8 months.

What do you enjoy most about being an artist?

I love being able to channel my creativity into a piece of artwork that can bring such a variety of emotions out in people. I meet so many interesting people on such a personal level through my art that it is truly a blessing. Seeing the appreciation, wonder and enjoyment on the faces of the viewers of my art is truly inspiring.

What do you enjoy the least?

I despise when I get a creative block…it makes me so mad when I can’t find anything that I feel like painting, as the world has endless, wondrous material just waiting to be picked….and I can’t find the inspiration or motivation….

Do you have any mentors?

I can’t say I have any mentors, but I have a lot of artists whose work I greatly admire, and aspire too.

Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?

Artistic life can be lonely, but I love alone time. I counteract it with spending time with my animals, husband and music. I also have a handful of close friends.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

The best piece of advice I have ever got, was to follow my dreams, believe in myself, and know that I can do whatever I set my mind too. Thanks “Dad”.

What inspires you?

I think what inspires me is that I have been given the gift to create and the chance to pursue my love of painting, so the gratitude I feel motivates me.

Thank you, Cher, for sharing a peek into your life as an artist!

Below are 8 of Cher’s award winning pieces. To learn more about Cher and see more of her work please visit her website.