STAMP Artist Feature #32 features the art of established model turned illustrator Cherie Bender. For those who missed our podcast interview I am going to combined it with this one. So you get two features in one!

STAMP: Introduce yourself. Where are you from and what is something you want the world to know about you?
Cherie: Hi, my name is Cherie Bender. I originally came from Edinburgh, Scotland, land of the Haggis, Tartan, golf & scotch. My dad was an artist too, he had a leather factory in Dunkeld, Scotland.

We lived in Edinburgh as a family, then moved to Miami, Florida when I was eleven, which was an extreme culture shock to me, so I compensated by perfecting my drawing skills. You could always find me behind a sketchbook, it was a kind of shield.

STAMP: When did you become interested in art?
Cherie: I’ve been drawing and painting, going to museums, looking at great art, ever since I can remember.

STAMP: What is your medium of choice and why?
Cherie: I paint in oils, mostly on canvas, sometimes on gessoed panels and wood. I like oils because of the blending capability, and how the colors glow in the light. They can be tweaked to dry overnight for illustrations, which comes in handy. When I do murals, I work in acrylic, an easier clean-up and faster! I also enjoy working in colored pencil and gauche on paper, which satisfies the meticulous, detail part of my psyche. I’ve been drawing more lately, coming up with ideas for new oil paintings. Drawing also unleashes my muse. Plus, you can draw anywhere, any place. All you need is paper and a pencil (with an eraser) and a few good ideas. I like pastels extremely well also, they are a lot of fun, and you can be as messy as you like with them. Photography is another passion. I have two sections on my web ~ From My Backyard, and Fine Art Photography, which is coming soon. I already have done the manipulated & painted photos, it’s just finding the time to load the images up!

STAMP: Did you study at an art school? If so which one and how was that experience? If not, do you wish you did?
Cherie: I did study at art school! I guess I wanted to prove to myself and the world that I could actually get a degree. I went to Art Center in Pasadena, California, and I graduated from the University of Miami. Studying art in art school taught me a lot about discipline and deadlines, but I learned how to actually paint in oils on my own. The best thing was, one of my professors at University of Miami, Lewis Ullman, revealed to me his secret formula for creating luscious skin tones. That was good. I also discovered chiaroscuro ~ extreme light and shadow ~ which I absolutely love.

STAMP: Can you explain how you received your big break into the digital illustration industry?
Cherie: I was doing illustrations for the Sun Sentinel, and the Miami Herald, and various other local & national publications, and taking them to the lab for 4 x 5′s, and then to FedEx, when I got a phone call one evening hiring me for an actual “big project”! I discovered through that adventure how to make life simpler and learned to scan and email. That was a “wow” ! Hmm, hard to imagine myself without the digital now.

STAMP: Are there any historical or contemporary artists that you admire or that you are influenced by?
Cherie: I admire Tamara de Lempicka, and the styles of the twenties. I love and admire Georgia O’Keeffe. I am inspired by Picasso, his passion and his virtuosity. I have also been reading some of the artist’s interviews here on Stamp, and they are amazing. I particularly am impressed by Ron English. He is fantastic.

STAMP: I see you have done work for the Norwegian Cruise Lines, top notch restaurants, and others. Did these companies contact you personally or do you use an agent?
Cherie: They contacted me to do the various cruise lines initially, through a recommendation of my university professor in Miami who knew the agent for the cruise lines. We had a meeting and they liked my work so I was hired to do quite a few projects, involving four to six paintings for each, which was certainly great! The top notch restaurants were referrals from present clients, who knew the owners of the restaurants, and recommended me. I came up with some ideas they liked and we just clicked. An added plus: they usually try out their new cuisine on the help, so lunch was good.

STAMP: I also see that you have done quite a few murals. Are they painted or printed? Can you explain the process behind getting your murals installed?
Cherie: Initially, when I first started, I would do everything directly on the wall. No matter how large the wall was, I would hire a scaffold, and stand and paint until finished. I did murals over-looking the beach at 17th street South Beach, in the Mc Alpin building, the penthouse, which was around 40ft x 25ft ; plus I did the elevator door leading to the penthouse. I did murals in private homes, like Coco Plum in the Grove, where they wanted the whole living room, den, and library decorated in an Italian style faux finish, together with murals. I painted all of the walls, stairwell and elevators of the Boulevard Hotel on Ocean Avenue, South Beach. I even painted an entire huge picture map of Nantucket,on a 125ft wall, in a restaurant of the same name, on top of gessoed tiles ( I did have help with the gesso prep!) I also painted both bathrooms, the men’s theme was underwater, with a window overlooking a mermaid, the women’s an old fashioned hand painted print on the walls, with a window overlooking a Nantucket scene.

I then discovered the magic of the laser, and now it makes the whole process a lot easier and simpler. The last few restaurant projects I finished, the drawings were photographed and printed on canvas, then a wallpaper crew is hired to install the printed canvas on the restaurant walls. Viola! so much better for me.

STAMP: Being a published artist is a great feat that a lot of great illustrators/artists done seem to accomplish often. How does it feel when you first received the word of your work being published?
Cherie: It’s a definite natural high, akin to having finished a theatrical performance, and you get the applause and the roses! Its even better when the check comes in the mail.

STAMP: It is noted in your bio that you are a feminist. Besides being a woman, what chose you to travel this road in your art?
Cherie: I am a woman who paints. My viewpoint is different from a man, its hormones, its biological. Sometimes, I think like a man, just like a man can think like a woman. Creating art is not gender specific. Creating a strong visual message that has an exciting appeal that also is positive, that is challenging! Sexuality, color, symbolism, can be utilized to convey a message that uplifts and brings joy. That is what I find when I draw, paint and photograph. That is what makes me very happy!

STAMP: Can you tell any interesting stories about specific pieces, artists, or projects that you’ve worked on?
Cherie: Last year I was contacted via email by a collector who was building a new museum in Athens, Greece, and was interested in purchasing an oil painting I had done, “Crown of Thorns” The painting just happened to be one of my favorite paintings ever, but I had always wanted to travel to Greece, and this was the perfect excuse, so after the money was wired to my account, including the price of getting it there safely, instead of just shipping the painting, I chose to deliver it personally. I contacted a friend of mine who ships art for a living, and he recommended a fantastic company who manufactures padded, protective boxes. I took the painting as luggage. I will never forget how “Crown of Thorns” just shone when the box was opened by the collector in Athens. I had so much fun in Greece, so much to learn and I loved the Islands; of Pathmos, of Mykonos, of Sardenia. I want to return there next year. I love the Greek people, the salt of the earth. We have simpatico. Plus, the Ouzo wasn’t too bad.

STAMP: Do you do commission work? If so, what factors, enter into your decision to take on the project (besides money)?
Cherie: Wow! Ummmm, I have very simple criteria: No. 1) it satisfies my creative urge. No. 2) I get paid.

STAMP: Are there any clients you wish to work with, that you haven’t already?
Cherie: Yes. Many. You hear?

STAMP: What are your challenges as an artist?
Cherie: To keep the faith, sharpen my focus and keep getting my imagination turned on.

STAMP: What role do you feel the internet has on art? Positive or negative?
Cherie: OMG! yeah, it’s a fantastic influence, sort of like pink sugar-spun candy you get at the fun fair. Always delicious, addictive, and something your mother would tell you is bad for you in large doses. But who listens?

STAMP: Do u feel like your work is evolving?
Cherie: Yes. Absolutely and most definitely! The more time spent in front of the scary blank canvas/paper, the less scary it is, and sometimes magic can happen! “It” becomes interesting and fun, time disappears and I feel connected. That is when the best work happens. Most of the time, when I am working on a project, whether it be personal or business, the art speaks to me and tells me what it wants. I am just a student and a scribe. I record what happens in the studio and I allow the magic to begin.

STAMP: What advice would you give a young artist just starting or trying to get started?
Cherie: Its a tough business. Do you really want to stay up for four days straight to complete a cruncher deadline, have to perhaps make unwanted changes to your baby, your creation, and eat pasta for five weeks until your wonderful, personal, baby art is approved and you get paid? Well, If you love what you do that much, it’s definitely worth the sacrifice to see the light at the end of the tunnel ! Trust me.

STAMP: What can we expect in the future from you?
Cherie: I have a new, personal, art project entitled “Luscious Garden” involving a series of oil paintings that I’m working on, very influenced by my business vacation to Greece last year and my connection to antiquity. I am also writing a magical, illustrated, healthy and delicious cook~book. I adore gourmet. I am also interested in wines & champagne ~ label designs fascinate me!

STAMP: Do you agree with the overall objective of STAMP Magazine? Why or Why Not? And what ways do you feel it can improve?
Cherie: Everything about STAMP is cool in my book. You are the berries, Jason. Thank you so much for inviting me to be interviewed. It is fantastic to be included in such a great grouping of very talented artists! I really appreciate it.

See more from Cherie on her website at http://www.cheriebender.com/