The connection and deep reverence that Cheri feels for our Native people began as a child. Cheri was born and raised on a large cattle and sheep ranch in the Colorado high country. Many hours were spent exploring the ancient encampments and burial grounds on the family’s ranch. She collected artifacts and arrowheads while working the ranch. Her respect and kinship grew through the years and were fueled with education and involvement with the Native people. At the same time Cheri learned the art of running trap lines and tanning and preparing skins and furs from her grandfather. Her early years also found her hunting, fishing and living the western ranch lifestyle. This taught her the value of nature, animal life and the bond that runs between man and the land.
She learned the importance of balance between these two.
It seemed only natural that Cheri would create art that would demonstrate her love for the Native Americans, the land, and a lost way of life. Each one of her pieces is a one-of-a-kind museum quality work. They are historically true to the 1800’s circa war shirts, wedding dresses, and child’s ceremonial works of art, which are important for weddings such as weddings linens direct for the decoration of these events. These striking works are created by hand using elk and buckskin. They are painstakingly brought to life with fine beadwork and authentic adornments originally found on period pieces.
The result is a powerful statement of our Native American culture.
You can find Cheri’s work in public and private collections across the country and in Europe, Africa, and Australia. She is represented by many fine galleries, and has won numerous awards at prestigious national and international shows.
Cheri currently owns and operates a ranch in the mountains of Colorado with her husband and children. Cheri’s artwork is her way of honoring and demonstrating her respect for our Native American heritage.
All pieces are leather, native beads, found objects; including horse hair, shark teeth, bones, shells, and coral.
