Cheryl Frey Richards

About

Cheryl Frey Richards is a contemporary painter, illustrator, designer, and art instructor based in Patchogue, New York. She holds a B.A. in Fine Arts and a B.A. in Art History from Valparaiso University. Richards' artistic practice centers on exploring memory, identity, and place through vivid, saturated colors and bold compositions that blend personal imagery with contemporary landscapes. Her work has been exhibited in galleries throughout the Midwest and Northeastern United States and is held in several national and international private collections. Richards' artistic philosophy emphasizes control and emotional expression, with her paintings appearing whimsical and bright while maintaining underlying tension. She explores themes of letting go versus holding on, examining how people document and remember their experiences through filtered photos and high-definition media. Her practice has evolved over time, moving from tighter control of shapes and colors toward greater looseness and spontaneity as she has learned to release her grip on the canvas. Beyond her studio practice, Richards is committed to art education and community engagement, working as an art instructor and creating work that invites viewers to reflect on their own memories and personal landscapes.

Contemporary surrealism with bold, saturated colors; modern/pop landscapes and figures; whimsical yet tension-filled compositions exploring memory and identity