Cheryl's style of painting is called American realism. >> It's a way of depicting the ordinary and American life. It has meant slightly different things to the different painters it's been applied to.And she is creating images that say something about America right now. Ideas of freedom, ideas of individualism, freedom of expression, and a lot of kind of Americana ideas. You know, there's the cowboy and the beauty queen and the white picket fence.She's reimagining them and redeploying them to make sure that ...

Artistic Vision & Style - Amy Sherald's portraits feature Black Americans looking directly at the viewer, aiming for an exchange and presence rather than confrontation [1] - Sherald uses a grayscale palette for skin tones to encourage viewers to consider the subject's humanity before their race [2][3] - Her work reinterprets American ideals to include everyone, challenging traditional representations [1] Career & Recognition - Sherald gained prominence after painting Michelle Obama's official portrait [1] - Her paintings have been displayed in major museums like the Whitney Museum of American Art and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art [1] - Sherald's paintings have sold for as much as $4 million at auctions, drawing comparisons to American realism masters [4] Controversy & Censorship - Sherald cancelled her Smithsonian exhibition due to concerns about censorship of a painting featuring a trans person as the Statue of Liberty [1][6] - She views her work as potentially political due to its existence in the world, despite not originating from a political place within herself [8] - After the cancellation, the Baltimore Museum of Art offered to exhibit American Sublime [9] Personal Journey & Inspiration - Sherald was inspired to become a painter after seeing a Black man depicted in a painting for the first time [1] - She overcame a rare heart condition and received a heart transplant at age 39, which profoundly impacted her life and art [2] - Sherald dedicates her artistic achievements to her heart donor, Kristen Lynn Smith, marking significant moments as "adventures of Christ and Amy" [2]

Artist Focus - Amy Sherald paints portraits of Black Americans in American realism style, known for her portrait of Michelle Obama [1] - Sherald's work is displayed in prestigious museums and private collections [3] - Sherald reflects on legacy and how her work will live in the world [2] - At 52 years old, Sherald feels like she is starting over, both exciting and terrifying [7] Artistic Style and Technique - Sherald's "Ecclesia" was a centerpiece at the Whitney Museum of American Art [4] - Sherald aims to capture something that will captivate generations [2] - Sherald describes her artistic process as natural as breathing, knowing what colors will evoke emotion and power [9] - Sherald's work has an optimism, referencing Teletubbies and other sources of happiness [10][11][12] - Sherald's vision presents a perfect, pristine, and vibrant image [13] Exhibition and Impact - Sherald's show at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art featured "Ecclesia" [5] - The luminescent quality of Sherald's paintings is hard to capture on camera; it's best experienced in person [8] - The viewer engages with the person in the painting, locking eyes and creating a connection [8]