Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Polcaro.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
As cliché as it might sound, I was definitely a born artist. My parents have photos of me as a toddler painting at my easel and one of my earliest memories is sitting in front of the tv watching Saturday morning cartoons in the 80’s and focusing very hard on drawing one of the characters from the old Hanna-Barbera cartoon Paw Paws. Neither of my parents were artistically inclined, nor was anyone I was exposed to as a child so my love for art was a complete mystery to them.
Thankfully they were supportive and just kept me stocked with supplies, bought me instructional how to draw books, and when I was old enough they enrolled me in art classes. I still laugh now knowing how completely baffled they were that they produced this artistic child. I was also very sensitive. I was told that quite a bit growing up. That was always my descriptor. Now I think I think a more accurate term would be an empath. I was always very aware of other people and how they were feeling and took that very much to heart. This has played a huge role in my life and my art.
Fast forward to 1995 and I enrolled in art school at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, MA which was the best possible decision my family and I could have made for me.
Montserrat was a very small school at the time. The students all came from various backgrounds, but many of us came from homes with lower incomes so I was not alone in having to decide to spend money on groceries or paint. Class sizes were very small and our teachers hung out with us at the local coffee shops and invited us over to their homes at times.
That is where I really learned to stretch my wings as an artist. It was also the first time, as it was with most of us, that we were not the one artist in a group of non-artists. We were all the “artist” from our high school. That was a wake-up call. While reveling in being among people who loved and practiced art, it was also an immediate realization that we weren’t going to be seen as unique anymore. If you wanted to stand out in art school you had to step up your game!
To catch people up to the present day, I graduated with my BFA in 1999, immediately realized I needed a paycheck other than art and ended up taking a job in veterinary medicine. I pursued my Associate’s degree in veterinary technology and I now balance both of these passions by working in a 24 hour veterinary ER as a CVT (certified veterinary technician) and pursuing my art.
Please tell us about your art.
My work is a combination of photo transfer, acrylic paint, and various other media on canvas. The subject matter varies greatly but the imagery often centers around childhood, fairy tales, and memory. I grew up in a fairly volatile household and often retreated into books. The original Grimms fairy tales were some of my favorites. I also loved classics such as Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, and so many others.
I think there is a part of me that is still in that space. My inner child so to speak. People often ask why I don’t depict dogs and cats in my work because I work with them in my veterinary life. I keep that life and my art very separate and that is intentional. My art comes from a very different place that is definitely not the current real world.
Sketching is not a big part of my process. I generally get an image in my mind, I might write down a note or two about the idea so I don’t forget it, then I move on to acquiring the photographic reference that will be used in my piece. As much of my work deals with childhood, I am very lucky to have my nieces which are always willing models!
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
I can only speak for myself but I feel that success is absolutely not defined by sales or awards. Obviously, money and recognition are always well received, but if these are your end goals as an artist I think you are missing out on a much bigger and more relevant picture.
For me, success is being among my peers. Showing in galleries alongside the artists that I admire. Being considered part of the amazing, diverse, and vast pool of talent that is the Boston art community. Also continuing to learn and grow within that community and never becoming complacent or unwilling to change as an artist.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I am currently represented by Galatea Fine Art in Boston. I have a solo show there every two years with my next exhibit being in July of 2019. I also participate regularly in juried shows in the Boston area.
My most current work can always be found on my website and originals, limited edition signed giclee prints, and note cards can be purchased directly from my website. You can also follow me on my Instagram account.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cherylpolcaro.com
- Email: polcaroarts@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polcaroarts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cherylpolcarofineart/
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