We're delighted that Cheryl Nosworthy, a mixed media artist who works from her home in Cornwall, has agreed to be interviewed for Ponyhour's Equine Artist of The Month.
Although Cheryl enjoyed art when she was growing up, as soon as she was able, she headed to Newmarket to be an apprentice jockey. After her career ended in injury she was sponsored by the Injured Jockeys Fund to attend the University of Reading where she completed a PhD study on the relationship between riders with disabilities and their horses before eventually returning to live in Cornwall to take up her paintbrush.
Thank you Cheryl, first question please tell us about your work? What are you currently working on?
I am an intuitive artist, so I rarely know exactly what I am going to paint. I show up at the canvass, begin with an expressive background, and wait for the horses to arrive ~ which they usually do. I call my work 'equine art with a pinch of fairy dust' and I aim to capture the movement, spirit and healing energy of horses. I was thinking of Spring and fairy rings when I started this current piece.
How did you decide to become an artist?
I come from a creative family so I grew up writing stories and illustrating them before completing an A Level in art at college. When I left home to become a jockey the art went by the wayside for many years until I returned to Cornwall. I now have a day job in IT so my art provides my life with a bit of colour and escapism.
What's the best advise you've been given as an artist?
That there is always an 'ugly stage' in the life of a painting ~ those moments when you think nothing is working and you are not good enough. The trick is to keep pushing on through this stage ~ I used to give up too easily. Working in mixed media is helpful as you can keep adding layers to cover up mistakes!
What do you do when you are not creating?
I am lucky enough to live near the sea in Cornwall so I enjoy walking our cocker spaniel Peggy on the beach and I have a retired racehorse Batchworth Blaise who takes up plenty of time. I love to read and I have an ever growing 'to-be-read' pile.
What are your work and life goals for the future?
My future goals are to keep painting and developing my style. I have recently opened an online shop and I aim to add more products that are affordable to everyone. I also enjoy my commission work where I immortalise 'real' horses in magical settings so it would be great to take on a few more of those ~ I probably ought to find the time to paint Blaise too!
Where can we find your work?
I have a little shop at www.fairyhorses.co.uk where you can also view a gallery of my work and commissions.
You can also find me on Twitter and Facebook @FairyHorseArt
and if you're in Cornwall I'll be exhibiting at the following 2019 events:
10-18th August: The 20th Annual Arts & Crafts Exhibition, Parish Hall, Upton Cross open daily 10am-6pm.
August Bank Holiday Weekend: Great Trethew Vintage Rally details trethewrally.uk
8th December: Alternative Christmas Present Show in Carnglaze Caverns near St Neots, Cornwall.
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