Cheryl lives on the shores of Clew Bay, on the west coast of Ireland where she draws inspiration from the unique and pristine environment to create and teach her eclectic mix of mosaic, glass flame work and nasc-assemblage.
“I describe myself as an artist as a verb, but not as a noun - I am always making, constructing something, working on a project, but I do not think of myself as an ARTIST as such. Yes, I am artistic - that is for sure, but it is not who I am. I don't make art to promote myself as an artist, sell my work or have exhibitions. I make because I love to learn new skills and combine ideas and techniques, to experiment and let one thing lead to another. It is a wonderful way to play”.
As a founding member of the Mulranny Arts School, she shares her impressive studio and the re-furbished old convent with other community art members and their guest teachers.
Cheryl grew up in South Africa, trained as a nurse in the UK before continuing her career in the USA in Intensive Care. Being creatively driven since childhood, her second vocation surfaced when she immersed herself in the creative fields. She opened a bead shop in 1993 and spent years teaching beadwork and related crafts. She started Beadventures, an International Cultural Tour business, and later became the Director of The Bead Museum. In 2004 she and her husband, Pádraig Browne, moved to Mulranny, County Mayo, where her international Art Workshops gained recognition.
“Art as a way of learning is a creative act and to me the most important thing to learn is how to be a more "in-tune" human being. To become more conscious of self, surroundings, other people, situations and conditions.
The reflective nature of art making is a very helpful adjunct to that process. It focuses you and quietens the mind and gives space for intuitive faculties to work”.
Cheryl enjoys writing and has had several articles published in various craft magazines. She is a founding board member for the protection and recognition of Ireland’s rare indigenous Old Irish goat which inhabit the mountains behind the village where she lives. The sales of her children’s book Handlebars, An Irish Goat supports the work.
Her videos include Seaweed: From Shore to Table.
Her Blog Posts can be found on the Mulranny Arts School website where she shares stories that have influenced her life.
“Creativity is a life force and a human birthright and I feel privileged to have the time and place to play in that arena and then share my skills and knowledge with others”.