Cherie Bender, a seasoned artist whose work has graced the pages and covers of this very Natural Awakenings, is known in part for her deco-styled paintings. Bender’s artistic journey began at the age of four in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she discovered her passion for drawing. Today, her artistic legacy includes a wide variety of paintings and drawings, including 12 sketchbooks, with the current one being her fortunate 13th.

A graduate in graphic and fine arts from the University of Miami, Bender went on to hone her skills at the ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, California. Her preferred mediums include oil on canvas, gessoed wood, and pastel drawings and paintings on paper. Notably, she has innovatively incorporated Swarovski crystals into her oil paintings, adding a touch of brilliance to her creations. An avid photographer, Bender utilizes her red Nikon camera to capture portrait references and stunning landscapes, often taken in her lush poolside garden or at the nearby beach.

Bender’s artistic inspiration extends to her beloved pets—Tobias, a Shih Tzu, and Angel, a charming six-pound Japanese Chin. Happiest when creating art, Bender undertakes both commissioned projects and personal ventures. Beyond her studio, she shares her passion by teaching art Wednesday afternoons, to children in Boca Raton’s historic Pearl City neighborhood.

A unique facet of Bender’s creative endeavors is her upcoming cookbook, Cherie Bender’s Glitter Book of Magical Cooking. With over 50 recipes featuring gourmet, non-GMO, organic, free-range ingredients, the cookbook is a visual feast, replete with Bender’s own culinary creations and illustrations of magical fairies and helpful gnomes, alongside her oil paintings such as the recent “Florida Mermaid”.

Bender will be exhibiting her work from March 16 to 17, at the New Life Expo, in Deerfield Beach. Attendees can meet the artist, explore a selection of her captivating paintings and pastels, and possibly attend one of her lectures. Additionally, she will unveil her handmade collection of essential oil blends, including Love, Protection, Power, Cash Flow, and Healing.

For more on this multifaceted artist, teacher, and culinary creator, visit CherieBender.com.