All That Jazz
Based in Worcester, UK, abstract artist Cherrie Mansfield creates bold, captivating pieces that delight and entertain her audience. With striking colour palettes and expressive textures, her vibrant creations bring life and character into any space. We spoke to Cherrie to discuss her relationship with art and music, her nationwide exhibitions and her future ambitions.Why do you create?
I’m driven by a strong desire to create things, whether it’s a making a piece of art, initiating a new project, designing a poster or building a web page. Beginning with a blank canvas or empty screen and transforming it into something tangible and visually appealing is really satisfying. It’s even better when other people can enjoy the outcome too.
“From a very early age, creativity and colour were an important part of my life.”
I can trace the origins of my art right back to my childhood growing up in Horsham, West Sussex. From a very early age, creativity and colour were an important part of my life. Back then we didn’t have a TV, so my brother and I found other forms of entertainment. From drawing, colouring and painting, to performing plays in our front room and constructing miniature fairy homes from petals and sticks in my grandparents’ garden, I usually had some kind of creative project on the go.
I made several memorable pieces in art classes at school. ‘Pollution’ was a collage featuring computers, bits of litter and cigarette butts I’d picked up from the street! ‘Metamorphosis’ was a lurid composition made from an old sock featuring a toadstool and narrow strips of magenta, purple and viridian fur from a deconstructed hat. Sadly I received little encouragement from my art teacher and after an unfortunate incident involving an envelope of sequins I gave up making art for more than 20 years.
‘Echoes of my mind’After studying geology at university and moving to Worcester, frequent trips to West Cornwall, home to vibrant artists’ colonies since the late nineteenth century, reawakened my interest in art. I took up a painting evening class and short courses at the St Ives School of Painting and Newlyn School of Art soon followed.
I’ve been painting ever since. The excitement I experienced as a child opening a new tin of crayons or a bumper pack of felt tip pens has never quite worn off.
How and where do you work?
My studio is on the top floor of our Victorian house. It’s got a large south facing velux window, bare splintery floorboards, a paint splattered sink, plenty of storage, two wooden drying racks made by my Dad and a radio tuned to BBC 6 Music.
You’ll find me in the studio most Mondays, often at weekends and any other time I can grab an hour or two when the light is decent. The rest of the week I’m head of strategy and engagement for a district council. I enjoy the contrast between the two different roles. I think I need that balance.
“People often ask how I achieve such striking colours in my paintings.”
In the studio, I work quite quickly and instinctively, liberally applying acrylic paint with rubber tipped brushes, painting knives and even kitchen utensils, scraping, throwing and mark making. I love creating intriguing marks and watching mesmerising contours of colour emerge. That’s what really gets me excited.
People often ask how I achieve such striking colours in my paintings. I tend to use a limited palette of three to six colours, including a couple of highly contrasting hues that bring out the zing in each other. I prefer cool colours to warm ones. I rarely use brown and I find red a bit tricky. I often throw some iridescents or metallics into the mix, which generate some stunning effects.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Colour excites me, grabs my attention and fuels my creativity. One of my earliest memories is of my Mum sitting in a hospital bed using a bright yellow fruit peeler, not long after giving birth to my brother. The little red wheelbarrow I used to help my Dad transport manure from our drive to the back garden, the purple flared trousers I wore to Sunday school and my emerald green racing car are just a few my many colourful childhood memories.
“I want to create energetic, impactful paintings that provoke a reaction...”
Alongside my obsession with colour, my work is inspired by a blend of influences and experiences including geological formations, my love of west Cornwall, travel and anything that grabs my attention, like a line from a song, an enticing cocktail or a striking pattern on a dress.
‘Spirit’I want to create energetic, impactful paintings that provoke a reaction, arouse curiosity and cause the viewer to pause to take a closer look.
I recently participated in the #everydayalayer art challenge created by artist Kate Green. I really enjoyed adding a new layer to four different surfaces each day and exploring a range of different media and techniques. The ideas were buzzing!
What’s the largest painting you’ve made?
In 2021, I was selected to paint one of 30 large elephant sculptures in Worcester’s Big Parade art trail. The design was inspired by one of my bold, abstract artworks, created in an expressive style similar to that of well-known American painter, Jackson Pollock.
At 1.6 metres high and nearly 3 metres in length, the sculpture was one the most challenging and exciting things I’ve painted. It took me almost 82 hours and more than 13 litres of paint to complete ‘Jackson’ in a vibrant colour palette that helped him stand out from the herd in his spot outside the city’s art gallery and museum.
Where do you sell your art?
I regularly exhibit my work and participate in art fairs and events like Worcestershire Open Studios where people can buy directly from me. There’s something quite special about chatting to people and helping them choose a piece of art for their home or business. My work is also available from my website, The Gallery in Pershore and Abbey Galleries in Tewkesbury.
Alongside my paintings, I offer a range of cushions, notebooks, mugs and coasters depicting vibrant extracts of some of my art. Created with both beauty and practicality in mind, these are a great way to inject more colour into your life or to give as thoughtful gifts.
How do you promote yourself and your work?
Since my first public exhibition more than a decade ago, my vibrant artwork has been shown in the West Midlands, London, Surrey and St Ives. I am an ArtGemini Prize finalist and one of my paintings was selected for the Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition in London. I have completed private and public commissions, including bespoke designs for windows in Worcester’s historic former Hop Market Hotel.
“Create what you love, not what you think people will buy. Play, experiment and try new things.”
My latest collection of jazz-inspired paintings were exhibited at Ludlow Assembly Rooms alongside work by fellow Worcestershire artist Susan Birth. I created 18 new paintings for our ‘All That Jazz’ exhibition including seven ‘cut-out’ pieces exploring the interplay between individual expression and structured order with a contemporary take on Bauhaus design.
‘California soul’While I prefer painting alone, I get a buzz from inspiring creativity in others and have led several successful collaborative art projects. My website is the best place to see more of my art, learn about my creative practice and sign up to my mailing list for early access to new work and invites to exhibitions and events. You can also find me on Instagram and Facebook.
What are your future ambitions?
I’d love to explore designing jewellery or wallpaper featuring magnified sections of my work to highlight the mesmeric formations and undulating textures within some of the pieces. And who knows, perhaps there will be another animal sculpture design at some point?
Do you have any advice for other artists?
Create what you love, not what you think people will buy. Play, experiment and try new things. Be confident in your work, your creative choices, your prices and yourself.
When it comes to promoting your work don’t over rely on social media. Do things that scare you. Breakthroughs and innovation seldom come from hanging out in our comfort zones.
Connect with and learn from other artists, but always follow your own path. Know when to stop working on a piece. It’s often sooner than you think.
Many thanks to Cherrie for answering our questions. You can see more of Cherrie Mansfield's amazing artwork on her website, or by following her on Facebook and Instagram.
Photos by Richard Nicholls