Introducing Cheryl Long

April 5 - April 26, 2025

Cheryl Long is an artist we’ve followed for several years before finally taking the step to add her to our gallery's artist roster. She has a unique way of capturing the shorelines, driftwood, and the west coast forest, often presenting them in a mystical way that evokes the emotional power of a Georgia O’Keeffe painting. At times, her work reminds me of Lawren Harris’ stunning portrayals of Lake Superior. Cheryl has a deep story behind each of her paintings, and when you stand in front of her work, there’s so much more to discover!

I truly wish you could visit the gallery to experience the paintings in person and chat with Cheryl this Saturday April 5. But if you can’t make it, here’s what Cheryl has to say about herself:

"Oil Painting invites me to look deeply and reverently into the mystery I perceive in nature, in an attempt to present the character of a place through forms that speak of interconnection. Always searching for underlying pattern and movement, I try to weave the many voices of landscape into a visual, unified expression of it’s power and grace. It is in the last stages of a painting that I allow mysterious forms and shapes to emerge intuitively, allowing the rational mind to recede and inviting the mystical mind to take over. Years as a massage therapist, designer and illustrator are a foundation in my work, where suggestions of anatomy and flowing, merging shapes figure prominently, as well as a strong respect for composition.

People often ask about influences in my work. Of course, there are many artists I am in awe of, almost all of them in fact! I’d have to say though, that I take my greatest inspiration from a lifetime of studying the Canadian landscape. Humanity has shared a connection with the spirit of the land since ancient times, and exploring this artistically fills me with gratitude and humility."

Watch a short video of Cheryl Long talking about one of her pieces in the spotlight.