Welcome to a new series of Artist's Journal entries, The Sunday Sunshine. I am featuring other artists on Sundays throughout 2021. I hope my own perspective on art and selling art becomes clear through the shared experiences of these artists. For this first issue of The Sunday Sunshine, I reached out to Deborah Cherrin of Deborah Cherrin Design.

Deborah and I are both members of the Huron River Art Collective here in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but we have not yet met in person. In November I began a new volunteer position as the Instagram admin for the Collective, and that is when I ‘met’ Deborah. Her colorful and consistent posts caught my eye, but I didn’t know she had just launched Deborah Cherrin Design.

Deborah is a collage artist. She works in multimedia, layering color and texture to create complex and joyful designs. In addition to her original art, Deborah Cherrin Design offers accessories featuring many of her artworks, including handbags, scarves, cards, and totes. We are going to give away one of her accessories (details below).

I was surprised to find out that Deborah started her collage artwork around the same time I started learning watercolors, in 2018. I was curious if she had gone through some of the same mindset challenges I have encountered.

Tell me more about your start with collage.

I took my first collage class with local artist Karen Izenberg in spring 2018. I did not think I was artistic in any way until then, although friends dispute that because I always loved color. I cannot draw (I dropped out of several classes) so I never thought I could use art as an expression. My world exploded when I saw what collage could do. I immediately fell in love with the freedom of material and expression available through mixed media work. 

Why does collage bring you joy?

I am happiest when my fingers are stuck together with glue and dappled with several colors. As soon as I started making bold and vibrant collages, I thought about using my art to design everyday items. That way people could feel uplifted when using ordinary products like placemats and shower curtains. The joy and wonder I infuse into the original artwork can also come across on a scarf or tote bag so it becomes a very accessible way to share it.

Tell me more about your process.

My colorful collages begin with crafting dozens of miniature collage works with translucent papers, watercolor, foils, paper scraps, and alcohol ink. I design fabric or patterns using these small and intricate creations and then work with select print partners to produce my merchandise.

A lot of artists are inspired at a young age by art in their home. You mentioned to me that isn’t the case for you. What inspired your creativity?

Literature, story, fantasy, and myth have always inspired me and I believe some of that comes out in my art. I can also be inspired by a particular color or pattern I fall in love with, and I will experiment to see what I can do with it.

Why did you decide to start selling?

I always wanted a business of my own based on something I was passionate about. My artwork has given me the opportunity to fulfill that dream. My family is very entrepreneurial so I think it's in my DNA.

You have accomplished a lot in a short amount of time. Do you set goals for yourself?

I set several small goals as I learn more about myself and what I want to achieve. My goal in 2020, after the pandemic hit and the art fairs were canceled, was to build a professional website and learn to promote my work on social media. I also became more comfortable just thinking of myself as an artist. So my goals are always two-fold: business-focused and growing my confidence as an artist (and all the emotional baggage that comes with it!).

Confidence is a huge obstacle for a lot of artists, particularly those, like us, who do not have formal training.  Are you ever afraid to share your art?

All the time.

Why do you value your own artwork?

The honest answer is to say that I valued my artwork more after enjoying some early successes. Within six months of my first collage class, I was accepted into some of my favorite juried artist markets like the one at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and West Side Art Hop. I couldn't believe that my originals, prints, and merchandise sold very well.

Does marketing or creating specifically for an audience impact your creative process?

I create holiday-infused collages based on the seasons so that I have merchandise that fits what people might be looking for. But I think my best work happens when I just let it flow. Sometimes people ask me to do one with an elephant or have other custom requests. I wish I could create based on a special request, but so far it doesn't work for me.

How do you find time to let your creativity flow?

I see magic in forests and woodlands so I spend as much time as I can walking the amazing nature trails in the Ann Arbor area.

And finally, what do you really hope for your artwork?

My first hope is always to inspire joy and wonder in others. On a practical level, I'm ambitious for my art and I want it to generate extra income for my retirement. I love love love being an artist-entrepreneur.

GIVEAWAY!
Deborah has offered one of the beautiful accessories featuring her collage artwork to giveaway. This is a nylon bag which folds into its own 4.5” pouch!

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
1. Subscribe!
You can subscribe to Deborah’s Newsletter
OR
You can join my monthly Studio Update.
(OR BOTH)
2. Comment!
Comment on this blog/journal post. Are you an artist, collector, or a friend? Does Deborah’s artwork and story resonate with you? Or, just say hello!

The giveaway will be open until the end of January, but join and comment now, so that you don’t forget. We will do a random draw from the commenters on this post. The winner needs to have subscribed to one or both of us.
Update: The giveaway is complete, but we would still love to hear from you! Sign up for Tia’s Studio Update for more giveaway opportunities.

I do hope to officially meet Deborah in person one of these days soon. I’m fairly sure we must have been at Art Hop together at some point. 

I encourage you to go to her website and see the beautiful artwork and accessories she has available. Don’t wait a whole year for Christmas… I’m certain you can find something special for that upcoming birthday or special occasion.  Or, maybe you have some holiday spending money and want to find something for yourself. 

If you love rich, bold, and glittering colors and designs inspired by the power of myth and the natural world, you will love what Deborah Cherrin Design has to offer. Feel free to leave a comment or question. Deborah and I would love to hear from you.

Tia Sunshine

If we haven’t met, you can read more about me in my journal HERE and HERE, or visit my Welcome/About with the button below.

This series is inspired by the Artists Sunday campaign that started last year. While I am not a huge fan of specific shopping days, I am a fan of encouraging individuals to buy from artists. This series is my way of participating in the spirit of the movement. www.artistssunday.com

Artists Sunday is "a nationwide art-shopping movement with more than 4,300 members. Participants include 500+ local communities, including arts agencies, cities, counties, state agencies, chambers of commerce, and organizations and 3,800+ individual artists." Their mission is "to encourage consumers to shop with their favorite local artists and craftsmen during the holiday season. Artists Sunday takes place the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Think of it like Black Friday or Small Business Saturday but for the arts. New members are joining daily."

Next week’s edition of The Sunday Sunshine will feature photographer Troy Wright.

Don’t forget to leave Deborah and me a note below!