Cheri Simmons
Plein Air Painter
My philosophy about creating art is very simple; I tend to paint more of what I feel than what I see. For me, there are no rules in creating art. If I let myself get caught up in rules and criticisms, then the creative process becomes frustrating rather than enjoyable. And then, why do it?
About Me…
I grew up in Michigan, on the Lake Michigan shoreline. In 1980, I moved to Colorado. After 25 years in the Rocky Mountains, I moved to North Carolina with my husband at the end of 2004. I’ve always felt the creative pull, so in 2005 I decided to try my hand at painting. I worked with several different mediums and fell in love with oils. I love everything about them; the way they smell, the way they feel and they way they move on the canvas. I found my creative medium of choice but still didn’t feel like I had discovered my true path yet.
Plein Air Painting…
In the Spring of 2007, I found it. I took a Plein Air painting workshop. Plein Air is an old French term that describes painting outdoors, in the natural light. I discovered that Plein Air painting is a perfect fit for me, because I love being outdoors, surrounded by nature...it’s not just about the end result, the painting; it’s more about the painting process, trying to make sure that what comes out of my brush matches what I feel in my heart. I enjoy the fact that every painting I’ve created has its own special memory of that day; the weather, the bugs, the sounds, the smells, the people or animals I’ve met, the places I’ve been.
