Interview
Cher Pruys
Cher Pruys was born in Regina. Over the years she lived in many places including Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Fort Frances, settling into her present home in Devlin, on the banks of the Rainy River with her husband Mark, 4 dogs and 2 cats. By age three, Cher was seldom found without a drawing tool in hand. She worked in pencil, charcoal and ink over the years, until, she picked up a paintbrush at the age of 35. Beginning with oil paints, she found her chosen mediums in acrylic, water color and gouache. Although self taught, her dedication and talent has seen her work juried into 382 International exhibits, as well as exhibits in numerous non juried shows. She has garnished 480 awards thus far.
She was the first recipient of a major Canadian National Award, The Mary Pratt Crystal Award of Excellence at the 2014 SCA Open Juried Exhibition, The SCA 1st place award of distinction twice respectively, 2016, and 2017 at The Canada’s 150 show. The SCA 2nd place Award of Distinction in the 2021 Elected Members Show. The winner of the Biafarin/SCA Award of Excellence at the 2022 Elected Members Show. October 2021 Winner of The Exclusive Harmony of The Arts Contest by The Blue Blood Gallery in Prague. The Gold Medal recipient for Figurative Painting in The Mondial Art Academia’s International 2018 Competition. The Silver Medal for Portrait Painting in The 2020 International Art Professional World Art Acadamia Competition. The Aviation Week & Space Technology Award Best of the Best, and the ASAA Award of Distinction for the best painting in the ASAA International Space & Technology Exhibit & Competition, consecutively for 2 years. In 2020 & 2021 & 2023 she was awarded with the most wins in The American Art International Awards. The Grand Prize Winner in The AWA (American Women Artists) 2022 Spring Online Show with a perfect score for “In Retrospect”. 2nd place in the AAPL elected Members online show 2022, Award of Distinction in the 2023 Pushing Forward Reaching Back Show, and a 3rd place in the NOAPS Spring Online Artist Members Show. 2023 saw her win the Gold Medal of honour at the Allied Artists of Americas 110th show! She has had 15 solo exhibits. Cher is also an avid fused glass artist, and a certified teacher of piano and guitar. Her painting "The Bubble" had the honour of being part of the Masterworks from The International Guild of Realism Tour. Her work has graced the covers of 3 books, 33 magazines, including The Best Of Acrylic Fall 2021,cover of May Arabella Magazine with “In Retrospect”, the cover of #20 Hyperrealism Magazine with “Girls Girls Girls”, and the most recent, #21 Hyperrealism Magazine with “The Young Cowboy”, and has-been featured in over 218 international publications. Cher's works have found a permanent home in private and public collections worldwide.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I have always loved art in many forms. I started drawing everything I saw and found interesting by age 4. I studied ballet and piano as a child, and received my teaching degree in piano which opened many doors into the art world.”
What inspires you?
“The miracle of life inspires me, as do the seemingly mundane everyday objects we so often take for granted. Faces inspire me, especially the eyes which are a treasure chest of emotions.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Themes I pursue are emotions, seemingly boring subjects, like a loaf of bread, and light! Lighting can make or break a piece of work.”
“To take my inner visions with my hands and create a work of art for you the viewer. That is the ultimate in self expression.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is detailed, accurate, interesting and I strive for an atmosphere that takes it from an illustration to a moving piece of art. This covers many emotions, happy, serene, nostalgic, powerful, exciting etc., depending on my subject matter.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Gerhard Richter is one of my favourites as is Carlos Bruscianelli. Of course, my all time favourite is Michelangelo, perhaps the most well rounded artist ever.”
What is your creative process like?
“I decide on a subject, then do a series of photographs of my subject. From there I sketch out my piece, gradually adding the fine details. from there I lay in there underpainting and determine my values. I concentrate a lot on lighting as it really is so important to achieve the hyperrealistic looks I desire. I get such a thrill out of taking the initial flat drawing to a composition that encompasses that 3D effect.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artists role in society can be very complex. The role can take on that of a preserver of history, a fortune teller of things to come, a teller of social injustice, a political statement, a conveyer of childhood memories, the list goes on. I feel that it is the responsibility of the artist to provide society with hope, inspiration and to motivate people to have an open mind, things can be different than the normal and that's okay!”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have taken part in hundreds of exhibitions, the latest most memorable one is the 110th Allied Artists of America exhibition at the Butler Museum of Fine Art this year, where I was awarded the Gold Medal of Honour.”
