Two local artists are joining forces in an exhibit entitled “Untamed.” Cheryl Nickel and Kayla Hiebert are two friends that share a common passion…explorative and expressive painting.
Cheryl is the current resident artist at the Loewen Green Art Scene, located at 306 Reimer Ave. The Art Scene is a project of the Steinbach Arts Council, providing a creative space where artist can display or sell their work, receive mentoring in their art form, and offer free art classes for the public to enjoy.
Cheryl says, “Early on in childhood I got used to people looking over my shoulder when I drew pictures. Now that I think about it, I have always been referred to as an artist since I was small. Through the years, my journey of artistic expression included a weekly published comic strip, taking art classes and getting a degree in graphic design, drawing caricatures, creating mosaic furniture, performing chalk art illustrations to music, painting t-shirts, and a wide range of styles of acrylic paintings. I have been married for fourteen years to an artist/musician, and we have two sons who have far surpassed the artistic abilities I had at their age. I look forward to adding to my experiences the creation of my own graphic novel and illustrating children’s books. It’s been a fun journey so far!”
A painter and designer, Kayla Hiebert is a local Steinbach artist who just recently graduated from the University of Manitoba with a degree in Fine Arts. Her main focus is graphic design. She has printed some digital artworks, and also spends her time painting with acrylics and oils. “Creating art is my method of communicating with and connecting to the world around me. By using shapes and lines, I am able to examine the themes of self-discovery, spirituality, and emotional awareness. In the past I have worked separately through paint and graphic design, and now aim to bridge the two by ‘painting digitally.’ Blocks of colour and lines layer the surface of my work to create a sort of visual clutter, as often times I feel that life is a balance of chaos and simplicity. The clutter of shapes and lines, influenced most strongly by Matthew Ritchie and Julie Mehretu, builds to form a visual diary in which I am able to express emotions, encounters or events.
The Steinbach Arts Council invites you to join them on August 28 at the Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre to celebrate the accomplishments of local artists Cheryl Nickel and Kayla Hiebert. Everyone is invited to attend the opening ceremony. Refreshments will be served and there is no admission cost, but a toonie donation is requested and greatly appreciated.
