PRODG Entertainment Promotions

PROFILES

Louis Elneus
Founder of HLD

Richard Jeanty
Author & Entrepreneur

Leslie Demangles
Author & College Professor

Danielle Legros-George
Haitian Poet & Autor

Margaret Papillon
Haitian Author

Myrtelle Cherry
Haitian Artist & Painter

Carole B. Joseph
Mass Bay Community College President

Gashford Guillaume
Mozayik Drummer

Pascale Auguste
Haitian Association Against Cancer

Andy Jacques
Haitian Fashion Designer

Phillip J. Brutus
State Representative

Yvecar Momperousse
Haitian Student Alliance

The Maroons
Haitian Writers & Poets

Evans Thesee
Founder HaitianConnection.com

Abdias Charles
Founder of Repair Haiti.org

Mecca AKA Grimo
Haitian Hip Hop Artist & Activist

Fania Simon
Writer, Lecturer & Activist

Nadege Fleurimond
Owner of Fleurimond Catering

Interview: Myrtelle Chéry

		Myrtelle Chéry's paintings are inspired by her memories of Haiti and daily human interactions. Many of her paintings express a true emotion that people can easily relate to and that is exactly what sets them apart. From the very beginning, Myrtelle Chéry knew what she wanted to do in life. According to her, she started painting at the tender age of 3 and polished her skills for 9 years at the prestigious art school, Centre d'Art Haïtien, an institution that promotes Haitian art around the world. Since moving to Canada in 1986, she has received a Master's degree in project management and a certificate in Art History while maintaining a keen interest for painting. She has participated in several art workshops and has shown her art work in solo and group exhibitions.
Prodg Entertainment Promotions talent liaison, Carline Gele recently caught up with the famous Myrtelle Chéry to find out about her inspirations and her love for painting

Carline Gele: Why are you an artist Myrtelle, and how did you first decide that art was your path in life?

Myrtelle Cherry: Being an artist is who I am. It's not something I chose. I realized that it was a gift from God and I express it as a blessing in my artworks. Of course, for the past 10 years I've been very open to all opportunities that were brought to me, so I participated in a lot of Art shows. From one project to another, I was able to build my career as an Artist and as a gallery owner.

CG: How old were you when produced your first painting?

MC: I started to draw as soon as I was able to hold a pencil. My parents told me that I was not even 3 years old when I started my masterpieces on the walls at home! But I was 9 years old when I produced my first painting (Watercolors).

CG: Have you been to art school, and do you think it's important for an artist to get professional training even when they are gifted?

MC: I started at the prestigious Centre d'Art Haitien, at 9 years old. I had the privilege of working with very well known Haitian artists, such as Frank Loussaint, Gesner Armand and Antonio Joseph. Being a visual artist is not too different from being a musician or a writer. To perform, you have to learn from those who are experienced and successful. You have to acquire the knowledge that will give you the tools to create. The more you receive, the more you can give.

CG: Could you tell us some more about your work style?

MC: My art is inspired mostly by Haiti and Haitian people going about their day to day activities, their cultural ambiance and their love for beauty. I grew up in Haiti until I was 17 and I can say that my work is stamped by all the values that I've acquired from my education. Those values are expressed by the vivid colors in my paintings, lots of light and deep touch that gives expression of real emotions and taste of everything that can be beautiful.

CG: Is there always a symbolic meaning or message in your paintings, or are they mostly about painting and creating a painting?

MC: I go to my canvas, like I would go into a conversation with friends, talking about joy and pain, aspiration in life, good souvenirs and fight for happiness. Of course anyone who looks at my paintings can travel and find other meanings, depending on how they feel on this particular day.

CG: What artists, Haitian or non-Haitian, have influenced you, and how?

MC: I think that my teachers influenced me a lot, because their work is expressive and fabulous. Art is compared to a need to express something because it is a way to communicate just as writing and music are. I also traveled a lot, in the United States and in Europe; which gave me the opportunity to see the works of other big masters like Cezanne and Monet. Their palette has influenced me a lot too.

CG: How have you handled the business side of being an artist?

MC: I always thought that an artist is the best person to sell his or her own art pieces, because they know better how to express the sources of their feelings when they are producing their work. Being a Gallery owner showed me that selling paintings is a profession like any other, and it requires business management skills. Fortunately, I also have a Project Management degree and I've learned a lot about running a business, knowing that my "product" has competitors which pushed me to find the right strategy and Marketing tools to sell it.

CG: What is the price range for an original "Myrtelle Chery"?

MC: Depending on the size of the painting, they range from $250 to $3000 (for an original artwork), but you can purchase my reproduction starting at $5. You can visit my gallery on-line at http://www.mosaikart.ca/. We are also home to many other Haitian artists.

CG: Do you hold exhibits throughout the United States, Europe, or the Caribbean?

MC: I've held exhibits essentially in Canada and in the United States. I have also participated in a few Caribbean Art shows with other artists. Europe and Asia are the other big markets that I will be targeting soon.

CG: We know that your gallery is right now located in Montreal. Can we expect a Myrtelle Chery gallery in Haiti anytime soon?

MC: Many Galleries in Haiti are very well established and I really respect them for the great work they're doing for Haitian Art. Because I've been living for more than 20 years now in Montreal, I think I can serve Haitian Art better being out of the country, because my Gallery can be a tribute to all other Haitian artist.

CG: Do you think your work is truly appreciated in our country?

MC: Yes I think so and I am always touched when I see people coming from Miami, New-York or Haiti, just to buy my paintings.

CG: What other interests do you have (besides painting)?

MC: I use to write a lot. Actually I have 8 manuscripts, waiting in drawers to be published one day. I hope to live long enough to see that! I also like to travel and discover the history of other cultures.

CG: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

MC: Hopefully, I will have a beautiful paint shop of my own, filled with daylight (or moonlight) near the beach, enjoying my family and my art.

CG: What is the best and worst part of being a full time, working artist?

MC: The best is to be free to do the work you enjoy doing and to rest whenever you want to. The worst is to wait for the right buyer, because most people don't consider Art as a serious career and they think that a painting is worth only a few dollars. The lack of appreciation for your work can be very difficult to deal with it's like having a child that people look at with great disdain.

CG: What advice would you give to an artist just starting out and wondering where to begin?

MC: You have to first find a mentor or other artists that have some serious experience in the field. Working with others and hearing about their experience, gives you some humility to recognize that you always have something to learn, no matter how good you think you are. Also, read a lot about what's going on in the art world. Travel if you can, whenever you can, as often as you can and renew your inspiration constantly.

Thank you Myrtelle for spending the time with Prodg Entertainment; Keep up the good work and we look forward to your next exhibit.