Cheryl Irwin
Born: Washington, USA
Lives: Methven, New Zealand

I LOVE making art, I LOVE being an artist. I LOVE looking at other people’s art.  We are all related as part of nature, when we freely create it is nature taking place. Only instead of the same old pre-programmed leaf coming our human creativity has the potential to be something entirely new! When I make art, it is the same sort of process as the grass growing and yet I never quite know what is coming.  It has taken me a long time to trust my own ability to create beauty.  Art is necessary for my growth, it is my way of being in this world, my way of understanding the evolution of my own  consciousness.

I don't know what it all means, why I have this passion for image and a burning desire to follow where my creativity leads me.  When I meditate I connect to the Soul of the World, I feel the oneness of us all, my art is how I share the knowledge I gain while I meditate.  My art practise more and more becomes an active meditation, the Soul of the World has things to say!!!!

I have been making art and craft of every description since I was a small child. Although I have participated in courses too numerous to mention and studied formally for 2 years I mostly feel I have been “life-taught”; by listening very carefully to my own heart, intuition and by paying close attention to my body and my feelings.

The more I paint in the moment, the more joy and peace I feel in my body and it seems to me that my feelings of well-being get embedded in the art itself. My art turns into my spiritual practise and I use it to share the all-encompassing, ever-loving, sheer beauty and bounty of the universe as I know it.

My intention is that you, the viewer, will see my art as a portal or a gateway and take a few deep breaths and relax yourself into the intricate beauty and by doing so you will sense your own connection to the limitless power of the universe and see shining within yourself, the astonishing beautiful light that is your own being.

I live in Methven, New Zealand with my amazingly talented photographer husband Bill, see www.billirwinarts.com and let me know if you think I am exaggerating. Our best creative collaborations are our three beautiful sons!

You can see my work at Bryce Gallery in Christchurch or The Art House Gallery in Methven,(at our home) please ring for an appointment (03)3029905.

If you need a place to stay while visiting our area have a look at our apartment, attached to our home gallery. It's a beautifully quiet place to relax.

Manhattan Arts International- Exhibition- "Positive Art that Uplifts the Spirit" -2012

On-line art instruction at Angels in my Studio- May 2012

Methven Heritage Centre- Exhibition- "Figuring the Possibilities" Nov. 2011

Represented by Bryce Gallery- Christchurch 2008 to present

Bryce Gallery Christmas Exhibitions -2008-present

On-line art instruction at Wild Precious- "How to paint an angel like a goddess"

Selwyn Gallery Group Exhibit- Artist Week Artists of 2010

Ashburton Art Society Annual Exhibitions- 2007-present

Darfield Art Week Annual Exhibitions- 2008, 2010

NZ Artist Guild South Island Exhibitions Gallery "O" Christchurch Sept 2008, 2009

Member of the New Zealand Artists Guild 2008 to present

Finalist in the New Zealand Artists Guild Awards 2008

Aoraki Polytechnic Art Studies Course, 2007, 2008

Aoraki Polytechnic Art Studies Exhibition- Watercolour award 2007