Archived Blog

January 2025-June 2025

 

June 2025
May Art Momentum & Jazz Age Visions

Dear Friends and Art Enthusiasts,
I hope this note finds you well as we step into the summer months. After wrapping up work for multiple exhibits at the beginning of May, I took time for family celebrations and tried my hand at new ideas in the studio. Some early pieces show promise, and I’m continuing to explore where they might lead! As usual, exhibitions, artistic growth, and conversations with fellow artists sparked fresh momentum—each encounter offering new insight and inspiration.

Online & Social Media Updates
In May, I focused more on behind-the-scenes work. One exciting update: I’m beginning to build a Facebook store to make artwork more accessible for online visitors—stay tuned as that develops. I'm also planning a new “Unlisted” category for the website, showcasing art that’s either exploratory or not currently for sale. These are pieces that help shape my practice and artistic direction, and I’m excited to begin sharing more of that side with you.

On social media, I shared some of the stories behind Emily and Kathryn, two charcoal portraits that were completed for the Portrait Exhibition. I also promoted on social media all three May exhibits at The Grand Theater, with artwork and show details.

Studio Highlights & New Work
This past month, I completed two featured charcoal portraits—Emily and Kathryn—for the Portrait Exhibition for The Grand Theater's North Corridor. These drawings challenged my use of pencil as medium by working with charcoal, and I’m proud of how they turned out.

A personal highlight was finishing Mademoiselle, a pencil portrait of a 1920s woman, inspired by the vintage aesthetic of the Art Deco and Jazz Age eras. This piece will be on display during the Lewisville Playhouse’s June production of Ragtime.

May also brought small but vibrant studies in various styles:
  • A cubist-inspired line drawing
  • A colored pencil illustration influenced by Klimt’s ornamental style
  • A fifth rendition of my "Dating Scene" ink and watercolor piece, as I continue exploring Impressionist approaches with pen, Indian ink, and watercolor.
  • Two Art Nouveau drawings and several digital explorations in the Art Deco aesthetic

Each of these were opportunities to stretch, try new directions, and honor the artistic movements that inspire me. I’m especially enthused about my latest interest and study of Art Deco. With a background in design, Art Deco is a perfect fit—challenging me to create new artwork that I can exhibit while showcasing both my digital expertise and technical skills.


Schedule of Exhibitions

  • Portrait Exhibition, The Grand Theater Corridor: May 10 – June 7
  • Upcoming: Mademoiselle on display during Ragtime at the Lewisville Playhouse in June

View the full exhibit calendar at www.visualartleague.org/2025-schedule-exhibits.

Discover the inspiring work of local artists! Artwork featured in exhibitions are available for purchase.

VALs Events & Community
In May, I attended the Visual Art League’s monthly meeting, “An Ancient Journey,” where sculptor Kathy Warwick shared insights into her stone-carving process and the wide variety of materials she works with. It was fascinating to hear how she adapts her techniques based on the stone’s qualities.

Later in the month, I participated in the VALs Portrait Face Off, a live portrait event with fellow artists. It was a great opportunity to stay sharp and enjoy the creative talent in the room.

Another highlight was speaking with artist Steven Reddy, an urban sketching ink and watercolor artist. He generously offered practical tips for strategizing hatchmark techniques, and I’m looking forward to incorporating his advice into future ink illustrations.

Looking Ahead
While May was a quieter month, June is already filling with fresh opportunities. I’ll continue working on the new Facebook store and expanding the Unlisted Artwork section on my website. These spaces will offer a more personal look at my creative experiments, in-progress work, and studies that often don’t make it into formal collections—but are part of the heartbeat of my studio practice.

As always, thank you for joining me on this journey. Your support and encouragement mean the world, and I hope the summer brings inspiration your way as well.


Warmly,
Cheryl Vaca
cHerArtwork

www.cherartwork.com

Ebay Store: www.ebay.com/usr/cherartwork_cherylvaca 
Follow me:
Facebook: @cherartwork
Instagram: @cherartwork_cherylvaca
Pinterest: @cherartwork
Ebay Store: www.ebay.com/usr/cherartwork_cherylvaca

Zazzle Store: www.zazzle.com/store/cherartwork

 

 

May 2025
Spring Momentum & New Gallery Updates


Dear Friends and Art Enthusiasts,

I hope this note finds you well and enjoying the promise of spring—April brought a whirlwind of studio projects, website enhancements, and community events that kept me busier than expected. Although promotional efforts paused briefly, the creative engine never slowed, and I’m excited to share what’s new at cHerArtwork.

Online & Social Media Updates
This month I added two new categories—Sculpture and Charcoal—to the navigation bar and online store, making it easier for you to browse three-dimensional works like Nutswood and Clyde the Porcupine, Butterflies Bottle, Paper Máche Man with Boy and Bird, and charcoal portraits such as Kathryn and Emily. I’ve also continued to add pieces to my eBay store—look for new arrivals listed on the website here, or shop directly on eBay. My Facebook profile is back up, and I’ll be sharing studio snapshots and new-drop announcements there (as well as on my personal page), so please follow @cHerArtwork to stay in the loop!


Studio Highlights & New Listings
In early April, three pieces—Laughing Chimpanzee and the acrylics Tiger Be Still and Leopard’s Watch along with framed pencil minis—were showcased at the Lewisville Lake Symphony Event on April 11, drawing enthusiastic interest. Tractor and Barn: A Country Scene and Painting of a Rooster were on display at the Lewisville Playhouse during the showing of the play Uncle Vanya in April. The Food Fight Exhibition, featuring Popcorn (mixed media, 16″ × 12″), continued through April 26 and is now available online.

April saw the completion of several new works, now available on cHerArtwork.com (and on eBay, except where noted):
  • Paper Mâché Man and Boy with Bird (sculpture; raw photos $10 each; sculpture $25) – website exclusive
  • Butterflies Bottle (upcycled juice bottle, wire & wooden butterflies décor piece) – website exclusive
  • Nutswood & Clyde the Porcupine (two-piece set; wood, plastic & metal upcycle sculpture, 5″ H × 8″ W) – website exclusive 
  • Baby Crying (16″ × 20″, graphite pencil)
  • Handwriting Thoughtfulness (12″ × 12″, colored pencil)
  • Kathryn (11″ × 14″, charcoal portrait)
  • Emily (11″ × 14″, charcoal portrait)

Schedule of Exhibitions
Upcycle Recycle Exhibition, The Grand Theater Display Case: April 29 – June 28
Abandoned Exhibition, The Grand Theater Main Gallery: May 3 – May 31
Portrait Exhibition, The Grand Theater Corridor: May 10 – June 7

For full details and locations, visit www.visualartleague.org/2025-schedule-exhibits.


Discover the inspiring work of local artists! Artwork featured in exhibitions are available for purchase.

VALs Volunteer Work & Events
On April 25, I volunteered at VALs Colorpaloza—helping with the Art Trading Cards painting event and co-judging the chalk-art competition. Earlier, at the VALs meeting “Fostering Content in Your Artwork,” Eilene Houston Carver inspired us with mixed-media journaling techniques and her thoughtful, “ungory” approach to processing tragic news events.

Studio Outlook & Growth
Although I didn’t record any sales in April, quieter business stretches are perfect for exploration. I worked across a full span of media—pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, acrylic, sculpture, and papier-mâché—while updating my website listings and expanding on eBay. In the coming months, I’ll focus on promoting these new works online and growing my presence on Pinterest.

Looking Ahead
May promises to be bustling! The Abandoned Exhibition opens May 3—come see Baby Crying and Handwriting Thoughtfulness—while Upcycle Recycle continues through June 28 with Nutswood and Clyde the Porcupine. The Portrait Exhibition kicks off May 10 with plans to showcase Kathryn and Emily. I’m also preparing artwork for display at The Main Street Café and am planning to participate in the next installation at the Lewisville Playhouse during their Ragtime production—watch Facebook for date announcements!

Thank you for following along and supporting my journey. Your enthusiasm makes every project more meaningful, and I can’t wait to share what’s next!
Warmly,
Cheryl Vaca
cHerArtwork
Follow me:
Facebook: @cherartwork
Instagram: @cherartwork_cherylvaca
Pinterest: @cherartwork
Ebay Store: www.ebay.com/usr/cherartwork_cherylvaca

Zazzle Store: www.zazzle.com/store/cherartwork
www.cherartwork.com

April 2025
Fresh Work & New Directions: A Spring Update from the Studio


Dear Friends and Art Enthusiasts,
I hope this note finds you well and enjoying the new season! I must start by apologizing for the delay in posting this month’s blog. March was packed with creative energy, new projects, exhibits, and some unexpected tech hurdles, which slowed down my social media promotions and website updates. But I’m excited to finally catch you up!

Online & Social Media Updates
This past month, I continued expanding cHerArtwork.com, adding two new medium categories to the navigation bar—Pastels and Colored Pencils—to help visitors explore my work more easily. I’ve also launched an eBay store featuring over 60 pieces of my work, providing more flexible shipping options and making my artwork more accessible. You can check it out here: www.ebay.com/usr/cherartwork_cherylvaca. All available artwork can also be found in the Art Gallery Shop on my website.

For the month of March, I offered a 20% off promotion on all items available on my website during the last week of March, shared via social media. Unfortunately, I didn’t see much response, but I remain hopeful about growing sales in the future!

On the social media front, things got a little tricky. While trying to open a storefront on Facebook, I noticed duplicate profiles and deleted the lesser-used one—but unfortunately, it locked me out of my original cHerArtwork page. As of now, I’ve received no response to get it reinstated. So, I’ve created a new page: CHerartwork (just a slight variation in the spelling). I’m also posting from my personal page, Cheryl Vaca, while I rebuild the audience. This issue has also affected my Instagram promotions. In the meantime, I’ve continued to update Pinterest and added more to my collections on Zazzle. The Flowers in Pastels design is now available on ten different products! I’ve also released three new DigAI (digital/AI-generated artwork) collections—available as acrylic prints and greeting cards—and added a new piece to my Dessert Puzzle Series: Petit Fours Delight. You can browse all of these at: www.zazzle.com/store/cherartwork.

Creative March
Creatively, March was incredibly rewarding. I experimented with new techniques in India ink, watercolor, and watercolor colored pencil, inspired by a course I took through Craftsy.com by artist Steven Reddy. I began working on an 11" x 14" scene of a man at a doorstep holding flowers behind his back, inspired by the movie Hitch. I was planning on entering this into the March Power of the Flower Exhibition, but entered Flower Azure instead, as I didn't feel the piece was ready yet. I loved the look of the inked linework, India ink shading, and watercolor overlay—very much like a storyboard. I’ve since redone the piece four times, improving my technique each time, perfecting the image and continuing to learn the ink and watercolor technique. In the meantime, I completed a still life in this style, which came out beautifully.
I was also inspired by Kathleen Rietz’s YouTube videos on impressionist-style acrylic painting and applied what I learned with great success. One of my new paintings even received Artist of the Month honors at the Visual Art League of Lewisville! I’ve also been fine-tuning my colored pencil work. After struggling with rough paper and dull pencils, I switched to smoother paper and purchased a Prismacolor sharpener—and what a difference! My latest colored pencil drawing of a dog, which I shared on Facebook, turned out beautifully with blended, vibrant colors.
Here’s a look at all my new artwork created this past month. These pieces are available in the Art Gallery Shop on my website and many are also featured in current and upcoming exhibits:
New Artwork
  • Flowers in Pastels – AI Expanded Print (DigAI)
  • Magical Forest – Digital Print (DigAI)
  • Mystical Forest – Digital Print (DigAI)
  • Flamingo Leaves – DigAI Collection
  • Alchemy Leaves – DigAI Collection
  • Tropical Fauna – DigAI Collection
  • Whispers of Marigold – DigAI Jubilee Collection
  • Breeze of Medallion – DigAI Jubilee Collection
  • Springtime Flowers – Acrylic, 18" x 14" (Artist of the Month Award, March 2025)
  • Vibrant Flowers – Acrylic, 18" x 14"
  • Leopard's Watch – Acrylic, 12" x 12" x 1.5"
  • Tropical Waterfall – Acrylic on Paper, 16" x 12"
  • Popcorn – Mixed Media/Colored Pencil, 16" x 12"
  • Flowers in Pastels – Pastels, 12" x 12"
  • Flower Azure – Acrylic, 12" x 12"
  • Painting of a Rooster – Acrylic, 8" x 8" x 1.5"
  • Tractor and Barn: A Country Scene – Colored Pencil & Watercolor Pencil, 12" x 12"

Exhibitions
Many of these works are currently or were recently on display locally. Popcorn is part of the Food Fight Exhibition at the Grand Theater North Display Case, running from February 25 through April 26, 2025. Flower Azure, Flowers in Pastels, and Springtime Flowers were all featured in the Power of the Flower Exhibition in the Grand Theater North Corridor from March 1 through March 29, 2025. Additionally, Painting of a Rooster and Tractor and Barn: A Country Scene are being shown during the Uncle Vanya Play at the Lewisville Playhouse, running April 4–20, 2025.

Upcoming Events
This coming month, I’m preparing for the Lewisville Lake Symphony Concert Show at the Grand Theater on April 11, where I’ll be showcasing works from my Animal Collection, including Laughing Chimpanzee, Leopard’s Watch, Tiger Be Still, and mini framed animal prints. I’m also preparing entries for two upcoming exhibits: the UpCycle Recycle Exhibition, running April 29 – June 28, 2025, and the Abandoned Exhibition, running May 3 – May 31, 2025.

Thank you for your continued support and for being part of this journey. I love sharing my creative process, new ideas, and finished works with you, and I’m so grateful for your encouragement along the way. Please check out my latest work online and keep an eye out for updates on social media—and don’t forget to follow on Facebook to stay in the loop!
Wishing you a creative and inspiring April!

Warmly,
Cheryl Vaca
cHerArtwork
www.cherartwork.com



Facebook: @cherartwork
Pinterest: @cherartwork
Instagram: @cherartwork_cherylvaca
Zazzle Store: www.zazzle.com/store/cherartwork

 

 

March 2025
March 2025 Blog: Expanding and Showcasing New Art


Hello, friends!
March has arrived, bringing with it exciting updates on my art journey! February was a busy and productive month filled with website expansions, successful sales, and fresh artwork on exhibit. Here’s a recap of what’s been happening at cHerArtwork:

Website Expansion & Business Updates
I’ve been busy enhancing my website! I’ve added new sections and refined the Art Gallery Shop to make it easier for you to explore my collections. The navigation bar now includes dedicated pages for each artistic medium. You can also find all available pieces for sale in the Art Gallery Shop, complete with integrated payment options for a seamless checkout experience. To make things even easier, shipping is included in the price for domestic orders within the U.S.

•. For local buyers who want to save on shipping or pick up an item currently on exhibit, feel free to contact me directly! I offer flexible payment options, including PayPal tap-to-pay, standard credit card processing, and cash.
•  I’ve also introduced a Current Exhibits page and a 2025 Photo Album, so you can easily check out what’s on display locally and browse event photos from the past month.

Successful Sales
One of the highlights from February was the sale of Frantic Flight of the Cuckoo from my Digital Abstract Office Series. This piece recently came off exhibit and found a new home with Diego, whom I had the pleasure of meeting in person. Since this is a digital series, more pieces are still available for purchase—each priced at $100, or $250 for the full set. These works are designed to inspire efficiency, communication, and teamwork in the workplace.

New Artwork & Exhibitions
Artwork On Exhibit
The Dance was exhibited at Tiger Be Still at the Lewisville Playhouse. This 20” x 20” canvas painting features a couple dancing at the center, surrounded by vibrant colors and a subtle sparkle effect. Now off exhibit, it’s available for purchase online.


Popcorn, a whimsical 2D/3D interactive piece, is now on display at The Food Fight Exhibit at The Grand Theater through April 26. This artwork features popcorn bursting to life from the frame and is available for purchase at $125.

Flower Azure and Flowers in Pastels are on display in the Power of the Flower Exhibition which opened today and runs through March 29. Flower Azure is an abstract floral piece in cool silver, blue, and white acrylics, accented with touches of yellow. Flowers in Pastels is a collection of flowers in colorful pastels. Both pieces are framed 12” x 12” and priced at $75 each

New Framed Acrylics Collection:
In addition to the new 12" x 12" framed artwork pieces, I’ve expanded my Framed Acrylics section. The Light Abstracts Series now includes: Transubstantial Light, Resurgent Earth, and Oblatio. Each 12” x 12” framed artwork features vibrant colors and rich textures, priced at $75 each. You can read more about these on the Acrylics page and in the Art Gallery Shop. Also, be sure to check out my new Acrylic on Canvas, Tiger Be Still.

New Framed Pencil Minis:
Mini Pencil Animal Sketches, introduced for Valentine’s Day, are framed pencil drawings of animals. Previously displayed at the Lewisville Lake Symphony, these charming pieces are available for $5 (2” x 3”) and $10 (4” x 6”) online.

Other New Work!
I’ve also been exploring ink techniques, working with Indian ink, watercolor, and colored pencils. I’m excited to continue working with these mediums for future pieces!


Branding & Packaging
February also brought some exciting progress in branding and packaging! I now have branded labels and gift bags for local purchases, which adds a hand-crafted, professional touch. My new business cards arrived at the end of the month, and I’ve started handing them out to help spread the word about cHerArtwork.

Social Media Planning
I’ve been working on expanding my reach, and now you can find even more of my artwork on Pinterest! Follow @cHerArtwork on Pinterest to explore my pieces in a new way.

February was filled with creativity, growth, and exciting opportunities, and I can’t wait to see what March will bring! Thank you so much for your continued support—whether it’s visiting exhibits, browsing my website, or following me on social media, it means the world to me.
Until next time, stay inspired and keep creating!
Warmly,

Cheryl Vaca
cHerArtwork
Follow me:
Facebook: @cherartwork
Instagram: @cherartwork_cherylvaca
Pinterest: @cherartwork

February 2025
February Blog: A Sweet Start to the New Year

The New Year kicked off with exciting developments, from preparing for exhibits to launching my new website, www.cherartwork.com. While still a work in progress, the site now allows online orders for framed artwork, making it easier than ever to purchase pieces directly.

New Artwork and Exhibitions
In January, I created new artwork, including my Digital Artwork Office Series. The first piece, Frantic Flight of the Cuckoo, was accepted into the Strictly Abstract Exhibition at the Gallery at the Grand Theater in Lewisville, along with Golden Jubilee Cake, a 24" x 36" canvas.
After the exhibit opened, I expanded the series to include Tacky Tongue and Collaborative Synergy, completing a three-piece collection that explores the complexities of modern workplace dynamics. Each piece represents a different theme—time management, gossip, and teamwork—through abstract forms, bold compositions, and rich colors. Influenced by geometric abstraction, this series provides a fresh perspective on the emotional and psychological challenges of office life, making it perfect for workspaces, employee recognition, or home decor.

Additionally, I expanded my Birds Sketched in Ink Series to include six birds, available as prints. Three of these are framed in beautiful mahogany frames with black trim and can be purchased individually or as a three-set for $250. These ink sketches highlight the charm of birds perched on branches, using expressive lines, cross-hatching, and stippling techniques to capture their delicate forms. The simplicity of black ink on white paper invites viewers to appreciate the quiet beauty of these birds in nature.

More Exhibits and Community Engagement
Beyond the Strictly Abstract Exhibition, my piece The Dance—a 20” x 20” abstract painting capturing a couple mid-movement in swirls of magenta, yellow, blue, and white—was featured at the VALs monthly meeting. This meeting included a special guest speaker, Randall Garrett, who shared insights on his artistic journey.

Another exciting opportunity came on January 31, when I exhibited alongside six other artists at the Lewisville Lake Symphony Concert. My table featured smaller framed pencil drawings in 4” x 6” and 2” x 3” sizes, including Red Bull, a bold and energetic acrylic painting. One of my Sketched Birds in Ink and Tacky Tongue were also displayed. A digital presentation showcased my artwork, allowing visitors to explore my pieces in more detail. This event was a fantastic way to engage with the public—I even made my first sale of a 4” x 6” framed giraffe and received a commission request!

Business Updates & Looking Ahead
On the business side, I made significant progress in January:
  • Website Expansion: Moved to a new platform for better functionality.
  •Mobile POS System: Set up for tap-to-pay transactions—a huge convenience at exhibits.
  • Increased Interest: Two inquiries came in for Frantic Flight of the Cuckoo, and digital prints for the three-piece office series are now available, framed with each order.
  • Branding & Packaging: I secured a local solution for gift bags and received my new business cards, ready for future connections!
  • Social Media Planning: Developed a six-month social media plan to expand my reach and engage with art enthusiasts.
  • Online Sales & New Platforms: While my Etsy listings are no longer available, my artwork remains on Zazzle, where customers can order customizable products like canvases, mugs, t-shirts, and puzzles (zazzle.com/store/cherartwork). Additionally, I’ve started adding pieces to ArtPal, an exciting new option for buyers. ArtPal offers customization, printing on various media, and the ability to purchase both prints and original artwork with domestic and international shipping. Explore my ArtPal gallery here: artpal.com/cherartwork

The Dance will be on display at The Lewisville Playhouse during their production of Tiger Be Still.

At the end of February, I will enter a piece into the Food Fight Exhibition—stay tuned for details!


January was a fantastic start to the year, filled with creativity, growth, and new opportunities. I’m looking forward to what February brings!

Thank You
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Your support—whether through visiting exhibits, exploring the website, or following along on social media—means the world to me. I can’t wait to share more of my work with you in the coming months.
Until next time, stay inspired and keep creating!

Warmly,
Cheryl Vaca
cHerArtwork

Follow me:
Facebook: @cherartwork
Instagram: @cherartwork_cherylvaca
Pinterest: @cherartwork
 

 

January 2025
cHerArtwork on Display

Welcome to the first entry of the cHerArtwork blog! As we enter the new year, I'm excited to share the latest happenings and updates from my creative journey. cHerArtwork officially launched in November 2024, and it has been a whirlwind since then. I’ve been busy setting up my online presence and participating in local exhibits, and I’m thrilled to share all the exciting developments with you.

What’s New? 
The cHerArtwork website is up and running, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you! While I’m still working on adding new features and content, you can already explore a wide range of artwork, including acrylics, pencil drawings, digital artwork, digital abstract pieces, and ink. There’s something for everyone, from vibrant paintings to intricate drawings. I’ve also set up an Art Gallery Shop, where you can explore framed art available for purchase. If you're interested in customized framing, you can find those options on select pieces.
The website also features an Exhibits page, where you can see what’s currently on display, along with a collection of pieces that have been previously exhibited. And don’t forget to visit my new Zazzle store, which features a variety of products inspired by my art, including collections of prints and gifts. It’s a fun way to bring a piece of my work into your everyday life!

Exhibit Highlights
December was an exciting month for me with my art being featured in several local exhibits. I had 3 items in the Gift as Art show, as well as 6 ornaments and 2 pieces on display at the Lewisville Playhouse. The community support has been incredible, and it’s always inspiring to see my pieces hanging alongside so many talented local artists.

This month, the Strictly Abstract Exhibition just opened, and I have 2 pieces in the show: Golden Jubilee Cake and the Frantic Flight of the Cuckoo. Frantic Flight of the Cuckoo is part of a series of 3 new digital abstracts, each with a unique theme. I’m excited for you to experience this evolving collection.

Creative Projects 
Along with the exhibitions, I’ve been diving into new creative projects. In December, I began developing a new digital abstract series called Kaleidoscope, which features 17 backgrounds as part of my Captivity series. This collection explores themes of breaking through limitations—whether in life, creativity, or society. Stay tuned as this series continues to grow and evolve into a full collection that speaks to universal desires for freedom and transformation.

Art Community Involvement 
I’m also actively involved in the Visual Art League in Lewisville. The connections I’ve made at their monthly meetings have been invaluable for staying inspired and learning new techniques. If you’re local, I highly recommend joining in—it’s a wonderful way to stay engaged with the art community.

Looking Ahead 
I’m thrilled about the upcoming year and what’s in store for cHerArtwork. Here's a sneak peek at what's coming up:

 

• New artwork and collections will be added to the site throughout the year
• New products in my Zazzle store, featuring designs from my artwork in a variety of items.
• More local exhibitions and opportunities to connect with the community.

 

Thank You
Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Your support—whether through visiting exhibits, exploring the website, or following along on social media—means the world to me. I can’t wait to share more of my work with you in the coming months.
Until next time, stay inspired and keep creating!

Warmly,
Cheryl Vaca
cHerArtwork


Follow me:
Facebook: @cherartwork
Instagram: @cherartwork_cherylvaca
Pinterest: @cherartwork

 

Promotional offer

Don't miss out on the chance to save while enjoying the quality and service you love. Keep an eye on this space for the latest updates and grab these amazing deals while they last!