Botanical Watercolor Artist Cheryl McCaffrey’s ‘Now or Never’ Moment

Meet Cheryl McCaffrey, a Botanical Watercolor Artist from Boston, Massachusetts

Introduction:

After a long time away from art, Cheryl McCaffrey rediscovered her passion for painting in 2015, inspired by the natural beauty around her. Initially drawn to the arts in high school and later studying graphic design, she shifted her focus to botanical watercolor painting. Despite the challenges of mastering a new medium, she created meaningful works like “Winter Twigs.” In May of 2022, Cheryl received her Certificate of Botanical Art & Illustration (CBA) from Wellesley College Botanic Gardens. Her story is one of dedication and a deep connection to the beauty of nature.

Explore her vibrant watercolor paintings and botanical drawings and see how she continues to develop her craft as a botanical artist through different techniques while staying true to her love for nature and the natural world.

Artistic Origins:

Vicki: “Can you share a story of what drew you to your chosen medium and how your artistic journey began?”

Cheryl: I took AP Art in high school and was in an arts program at RISD one summer, so I had a strong interest in art from a young age. I went to a liberal arts college and became a graphic designer so I could have a “creative career.”

But I eventually got away from my art, and then in 2015, after a long period of not making art, I realized how much I missed painting. So, I started taking art classes again in a variety of subjects and mediums. About a year later, after searching for a more rigorous and focused program dedicated to the study of flowers and plants, I discovered a local botanical art program.

The program was focused on watercolor painting, a very traditional botanical art medium. At first, I wasn’t sure about watercolor. I loved both the portability and translucency of it, but the learning curve felt huge – and it truly was! 

I was taught that by using less water and high-quality sable brushes with fine points, you can achieve similar effects and details to that of drawing. I had much to learn (and still do), but I was hooked. 

Pivotal Moments:

Vicki: “Is there a pivotal moment or experience in your life that influenced your art?”

Cheryl: I have great memories from that summer program at RISD. I drew a gerbera daisy on mylar in colored pencil – I loved that piece! 

More recently, turning 40 felt like a “now or never” moment for me. I realized that if I didn’t start making art again, I might never get back to it. At the time, my husband had just started his own art practice (silver jewelry), and I realized how much I missed making art. But I was terrified of the blank page. So, I decided to enroll in some art classes at a local community arts center. 

This was another pivotal moment for me – being a student in a classroom setting with others who were also learning eased a lot of my fears. Adapting a state of “beginner’s mind” is still an incredibly useful exercise for me.

Creative Process:

Vicki:  “Could you walk us through your creative process? How did you transform your initial idea into a finished piece?”

Cheryl: I’m inspired by nature and always looking for my next subject, whether I’m on a walk in our local arboretum or going for a walk on the beach. I was taught to draw and paint from life, so that’s very important. When I find a subject that interests me, I start by close observation – moving the plant around and drawing it from different angles. My sketchbook is an important place where I work on sketches, thumbnails, and studies. For more complex compositions, I draw multiple subjects on separate pieces of tracing paper and move them around to create a composition.

Then I do an accurate drawing on tracing paper and transfer this final drawing to watercolor paper.

Next, I begin painting light watercolor washes and build-up layers, using less water and more pigment, and smaller brushes as the painting progresses. I love watching the painting start to emerge from the paper as I paint it, especially adding detail where the painting starts to come to life. 

Meaningful Creations:

Vicki:  “Is there a piece you’ve created that is particularly meaningful to you? What’s the story behind it?”

Cheryl: My painting, Winter Twigs, was the first painting where I really felt in the flow, and the composition and painting came more naturally to me after years of studying and working towards my certificate. Winter is not my favorite month, I hate the cold – even though I live in New England! – and it can feel dreary outside with mostly grays and browns in the landscape. But as I was walking through our local arboretum in winter, I realized how simple grasses and ferns can create really interesting curves and elegant shapes, and there’s an entire range of subtle browns and grays. I gathered these dried plants and grasses and arranged them in my studio, similarly to what I saw outside. I added a touch of color with the single rosehip in the middle as a reminder that even in the depths of winter, color can be found. 

This painting was recently accepted into the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) 27th Annual International exhibition and will be exhibited at the Museum of Illustration in NYC from September 28-December 28. 

Future Aspirations:

Vicki:  “Looking forward, what are your aspirations or dreams for your future as an artist?”

Cheryl: The most important thing to me as an artist is to stay curious and always be practicing to improve my skills. I do have a lot of specific skills and techniques I want to improve, especially creating more complex and layered compositions. I recently took an oil painting class, and I’m interested in continuing to learn this medium, especially paint application and color mixing. I continue to submit my work for juried exhibitions – it helps me strive for excellence in my work and it’s always an honor (and a surprise) when one of my paintings is accepted.

​ Cheryl’s painting, Blackberries, is part of the Society of Botanical Artists Plantae 2024 exhibition, online through June 30th, 2024: Plantae 2024 Online Exhibition (link) 

Vicki:  “Is there anything else you’d like to share about your art, experiences, or perspectives we haven’t covered?”

Cheryl: One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received from my art instructor, Sarah Roche, is to just keep painting. I think it’s really hard to learn something new as an adult – we all want to be good at it right away. But to be good at anything takes a lot of practice, patience, and making mistakes. When you can start to see your own progress, even just a little, it’s really satisfying, but it’s not easy in the beginning. Like Sarah says, you have to just keep painting.

Find You:

Vicki:  “How can someone contact you to purchase your art?”

Vicki:  “Do you offer online or in-person workshops/classes?”

Cheryl: ​Not right now.

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