Pyrophyte 3

Acrylic,collage on burned canvas, 36x24x1, 2014

“My process begins by creating spontaneous, mixed-media surfaces. Then I excavate the elusive and symbolic meanings of these haphazard shapes and gestural renderings. My Pyrophyte series begins with marks on raw canvas, which are ignited with fire to produce scorched and burned-through spaces. Acrylic and collage elements achieve the final composition. In nature, pyrophytes are plants, including trees that have adapted to tolerate fire.

After 30 years in academia, Cheryl A. Richey retired in 2003 from the University of Washington, School of Social Work, to focus more intensively on her artist journey, which is fueled by her desire to experiment with ways to discover and understand nature’s mysteries and wisdom.

Since 2003, Richey has exhibited in 17 solo shows, 60 juried group exhibitions, and 23 galleries in six states, including Washington State. Her work has been cited in 15 regional and national publications and is held in private collections throughout the USA.