Cheryl Babineau - Artist Bio

After a long and rewarding career with Liquor Control Board of Ontario in customer service,
a sommelier and store manager, it was time for a change. Cheryl took a leave of absence and a leap of faith to open Bittersweet Gallery. The dream started when she partnered with Burnstown artist/sculptor Richard Gill, helping him with the openings of his annual fall show. They later married. Bittersweet Gallery evolved, becoming a thriving fine craft and art destination eventually showcasing over 50 Canadian artists in a diverse curated collection of art jewellery, paintings, pottery, textiles etc...

Cheryl believes she developed a desire to paint through cultural osmosis, a keen observation within her art-filled surroundings and encounters with the artists she has represented over the years. She surprised herself when she took another leap of faith and tried her hand at painting the winter of 2017 (just for fun). Ever curious, self taught and with a touch of encouragement from her husband, it has since become a passion.

Beguiled by the beauty of birds, they are her current muse and hold an ongoing fascination.
It began with a pelican portrait, now her portfolio is running the gamut with flamingos, parrot, peacock, toucan, hummingbirds, egrets, motmots, sanderling, herons, loons, ducks, magpie, indigo bunting, pigmy owl, pewee, robin, yellow warbler, northern flicker, cardinals, nuthatch and bluebirds.

“The fleeting glimpse of a bird fascinates so many of us. Their song a soothing symphony. For me, their boundless beauty, endless gestures and postures compel my attempts to capture it with paint on canvas. No longer fleeting, while I hold them in my hand, they are free.”