TIPS FOR SKETCHERS WHO ACTUALLY SKETCH

Sometimes, the gathering of materials to begin a project can be the most challenging. I used to carry a small sketchbook and a few well sharpened pencils with me at all times. That was before I made my bliss my business!

It's time to enjoy creating again. That is the lesson now for me. Mornings are creative, afternoons are implemented to "get my art out there!" "Get it out there, Cherie" I hear them calling to me, and so I must listen.

Now I have what I need in hand, I feel the morning beckon and the golden feeling of a new painting series being born is very soothing to my soul. If all else fails, I will always have my art and my ability to render on a blank page or canvas a vision I have. Wnen an idea is given as a gift from the universe it feels as if God is in His heaven, and all is well with the world. That is why so many wish. desire and covet the title of "artist" but beware! This crown has thorns! The thorns are the false pride which goes beyond pride in accomplishment. Nothing less than total committment to the process of creation is called for here.

"...and the day came when to remain in the bud was more painful... than the risk it took to blossom"
Anais Nin

STRAWBERRY FRENCH & WHIPPED

September 21...just a few days before my birthday, visions of strawberries dance through my head!
Just loaded this new pic to my website, photography section: WWW.CHERIEBENDERCOM

SKETCHES OF JOHN LENNON; NEW YEARS AT TOMATLA; THANK YOU MUM !

WOMEN UNCHAINED SERIES

September 16 2007
I have been working on some new ideas for a series called "Women Unchained" which is now still in the sketch stage. As soon as I have something worthy, I will be uploading these drawings!
Also, more promoting needs to be done, and this has been a little challenging as the email is acting up. I will be sending out a new postcard via snail mail, together with the email campaign this month and beginning of October. Please email me to be included in all new events and gallery openings!
I will be traveling soon as I have the travel bug, and I do miss California a lot! Hello to all of my friends out there and I hope to see you very soon!





NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN ARTISTS - June, 2007
I have been juried into the National Association of Women Artists this year, 2007. This is a wonderful honor and I certainly know I am in good company, with Judy Chicago and Marisol, two of the many great artists I have admired my whole life.

THANK YOU ! - July 5, 2007
My web went live on July 4, 2007, yesterday, after more than a year! My Mum has been in my corner throughout this process and I wish to thank her from the bottom of my heart for being there for me through it all.

GOOD FRIEND & PHOTOGRAPHER - July 5, 2007
Dan is a good soul and a terrific photographer. He has taken the best shots of me both in my modeling career and now. One of his photographs is the one I hand painted with green hair and the inverted peace sign to my head on my BIO section. His web is: www.danlittlejohn.com.

THE BEATLES - July 5, 2007
I am a fan of the Beatles and especially John, who is my favorite of the fab four. He has so inspired me. He was allways way ahead of everyone else, too bad he had to go so soon....

MY GOOD FRIEND MERCEDES - July 5, 2007
My very good friend Mercedes lives in California so I don't get to see her very much, but I did have a lovely visit with her and her mother Marjorie in North Carolina, where she grew up. I felt priveleged to see her father's sculpture which lines the road called Tomatla, and to sit by the creek on their property to meditate and sketch and communicate with nature and art! This sketch was done New Years Eve in her mom's kitchen. Mercedes web is: www.mercedesmcdonald.com. Thank you for being a wonderful woman and a great artist.

On Finding A Feather!

I found a large grey feather, with a black tip, on a street in Lake Worth when I was there last week on business. I took it as a good luck message from one of my spiritual friends, Rae, who raises African Greys, that all will be well, and things will work out in my favor! I use this feather, together with many other feathers from my morning doves who wait patiently every morning for their bird seed! Cardinals, orange finches, and a multi colored bunting visit me in my garden, to inspire and enlighten me on this journey as an artist on planet earth!

Many Rivers To Cross

When I lived in Manhatten, in the 80's I loved the movie with Jimmy Cliff's songs. It seemed so exotic to be sitting in a darkened movie theatre with my date, a Broadway star I had a total crush on, and watching Many River's To Cross! Reggae music never fails to lift me up.

I have been inspired many many times by the thought of another vacation to Jamaica and to swim in their crystal clear waters, bask in the sun, drink cooling refreshments while listening to the rythm of infinite spirit would be divine. Anyway, I don't know why I got on that tangent, as I had mentioned in my last blogger, I have the travel bug and I am sure the need will become unbearable until satisfied! I also have never been to Greece, which is number one on my list of places to visit.