August 2025
Hot Splashes This Summer

Summer heat, puddle splashes, and fresh paint — July has been all about movement and momentum. Between bursts of creativity and gallery visits, I’ve been reaching for paintbrushes, pencils, and even a good book. Here’s a peek at what’s been happening in the studio and beyond.

Making Waves in the Studio
Several new pieces emerged this month, each bringing its own mood and story:

• Girl Splashing in a Puddle

• Queen of Hearts

• Once Upon a Time

• Mademoiselle’s Son

• Bird Poised

• Painting of a Pig

Some have already stepped into the spotlight on gallery walls and the homepage of cHerArtwork.com.

On Display with a Dash of Conversation
This summer’s exhibitions at the Lewisville Grand Theater have been inspiring and full of meaningful dialogue. Five of my pieces are currently on display across three exhibits.

In the All Natural exhibition (July 12 – August 9), Girl Splashing in a Puddle and Bird Poised are featured. I spoke about Girl Splashing in a Puddle at the July 27 “Conversations with Artists” event. Originally a companion to Little Boy and Ducks, this piece was reworked to capture pure, unfiltered joy. Interestingly, I painted it during the same weekend the Guadalupe River flooded, a tragic event claiming the lives of several children. Despite that sorrow, the painting became a quiet tribute to life’s lightness and hope.

In the Nouveau West exhibition (July 20 – August 24), Queen of Hearts and Once Upon a Time are on view. I will return for the August 3 Conversations with Artists event, open to the public, to share more about the story and symbolism behind Queen of Hearts.

Also on exhibit is a delightful series of ATC pencil animal cards in the ATC Exhibition displayed in the North Display Case. These miniature works, each presented on a tiny easel, celebrate national and international days throughout July and August.

Exhibit details:
https://www.cherartwork.com/exhibitions
https://visualartleague.org/2025-exhibition-themes

Moments & Tradition
Two new colored pencil collections quietly debuted this month:

• Joy and Life, capturing moments that reflect on tragedy while offering a hopeful and positive perspective

• Rich Traditions, grounded in country and timeless values

Both collections bring unique personalities to the Colored Pencil Art Collections.

Books, Brushes, and Balancing Acts
Alongside creating and exhibiting artwork, I’ve been enriching my perspective through a summer reading program — over 20 books and counting. Two stood out for their deep connection to the art world and my own creative journey:

Seven Days in the Art World by Sarah Thornton offers an insider’s glimpse into diverse corners of the art world — from the highest-end auctions, artist studios, and publications to international shows — capturing the pulse, personalities, and processes that shape contemporary art. Exploring these varied venues gave me fresh insight and inspiration for my own work and exhibitions.

All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley presents a unique viewpoint from a guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His reflections on art and humanity reveal the quiet power of everyday encounters with beauty and creativity, reminding me how every role in the art world holds meaning and influence.

This summer reading journey added new dimensions to my artwork. While much of my time is spent creating, exhibiting, or managing the business side, these books allowed me to explore art worlds I’m less familiar with. From the richest venues on the global stage to the humble, heartfelt perspective of a museum guard who treasured each piece of art, as well as the people he worked with and the visitors he met, these stories deepened my appreciation for the beauty and humanity behind every work. If you enjoy art or storytelling, you might find these books inspiring too.

A Note Before We Turn the Page

August brings more ideas and a new exhibition on the horizon (Alphabet Soup is already stirring). The homepage has been refreshed to showcase new work, and email automation is now in place—welcoming new subscribers with a personal note.

Behind the scenes, I’ve been exploring a range of new tools and updates. From experimenting with emerging AI models in ads to testing out email marketing automation platforms, it’s been a season of tech exploration. I was finally able to merge the Facebook pages (still working on updating the URL), and I’ve updated business cards to match the new website. I'm also developing a new product offering to complement the current collection. This month, I’m looking into Pinterest more closely, now that I qualify for easier product uploads and additional features.

If you are a new subscriber—thank you! If you haven’t already, be sure to hit the Subscribe button to stay in the loop on updates, artwork, and special offers. And feel free to share it with a friend—art is better when it’s shared.

As always, thank you for being part of this journey—whether you’re brand new or have been following along since the beginning. I’m grateful you’re here.

Cheryl Vaca
cHerArtwork

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