By Staff
HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM – Kate Cherry, left, finishes painting her designs on a bowl. In addition to other artwork by Terry, the couple plan to put this pot in the Meridian Museum of Art's upcoming annual auction.
By Elizabeth Hall / special to The Star
Nov. 10, 2002
After artist Terry Cherry injured his back in 1993, the future looked uncertain.
Already obligated to complete works for several different galleries, he wondered how he would ever fulfill his duties until his wife, Kate, came to the rescue.
Terry, who began exhibiting his work in 1975, was already an established artist and art instructor, with awards from the likes of Watercolor USA and the Terrance Art Gallery National Juried Competition.
But after a year under her husband's tutelage, Kate quickly proved to be have her own artistic talent winning Best in Show in the prestigious Arts in the Park Art Competition in 1995.
Now, nearly 10 years later, Terry and Kate Cherry have become one of the most celebrated artist-duos in the region, always signing their work simply "Cherry."
The couple's Web site, www.cherryontheweb.com, shows several pieces from each of three series: The "God Series," the "Gray Series," and the "Watercolor Series."
The "God Series," in watercolor, is primarily Terry's creation and one of the more abundant with an average of four or five "God" paintings per show.
He began the series in January of 1993, just after reading the Bible cover to cover.
However, his depictions of God are decidedly unconventional; each "God" figure is tall, thin, and androgynous, and wears a long, triangular hat.
The paintings are filled with religious symbols, some more obvious than others. An apple, for instance, obviously represents sin. But what about red M&M's?
The paintings also include pencil etchings of cryptic letters, shapes, and numbers.
The "Gray Series" is mainly Kate's work, and incorporates abstractions of images from nature, such as rocks, sand and twigs.
She begins with a watercolor wash of gray, then applies layers of paint with an airbrush, sometimes including photographs of foliage. Subtle pencil etchings complete the work.
Finally, there is the "Watercolor Series," which typically depicts scenes from nature and is less abstract than the "God" or "Graywork" sets.
Terry takes the credit for this series.
The Cherrys will have several pieces available for a auction at the Meridian Museum of Art on Thursday. Their work is carried by Bonnie Busbee Art Frame and Gallery.