A new perspective of the everyday - The Creative Perspective with Cheryl Atkins

An artist who captures the ordinary, telling stories through a different perspective, Cheryl Atkins talks about her love for photography and celebrating the unseen.

Tell us about your creative journey - do you recall how you first discovered your interest and passion for the arts?

As a child, I didn't think I had any artistic ability at all due to having to stay in for recess during kindergarten because I couldn't draw a fish. On a family vacation on Manitoulin Island when I was 7, though, I took a photo of a church that was deemed worthy of the wall of my childhood home. After that, I dabbled until I bought my first DSLR in 2012 and decided to learn how to exploit its capabilities in 2018. Upon moving to Nova Scotia, I became very involved in the arts community and discovered a deep love.

Talk about your style. What defines your art? What do you pull inspiration from?

I like images that are slightly overexposed and images that take a closer look at the every day.

I hope to bring a new perspective to people of things they see every day.

What’s the most challenging part of being an artist - and what’s the most rewarding?

I am painfully shy and so buildings are easy. I also like making environmental portraits, however, and that requires taking a deep breath and being brave enough to approach someone.

Art is more important that ever.

How do you hope people feel or what do you hope they take away when they experience your art?

I hope to bring a new perspective to people of things they see every day. In environmental portraiture, I want to celebrate the unseen ordinary among us.

What role do you think art plays in a community like ours?

In times like these, arts is more important that ever. It's art that makes us human and through art we can share dreams and vulnerabilities.

What’s next for you—are there any upcoming projects, shows, events, or goals you’re excited to share?

 I will have an image in the upcoming members' exhibit at Gallery in the Grove and am considering expanding on my series, People of the Tides, as well as experimenting with street photography.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Happy to have found the arts community in Strathroy!

Connect with Cheryl:

Website | Instagram

cherylatkins@protonmail.com