Moose Mountain Provincial Park Kenosee Lake
Cheryl Andrist had the artist bug at a very young age and loved it when her grandmother would give her colouring books or paint-by-number kits for her birthday or Christmas.
Andrist’s mom and grandmother also had an artistic talent but did not pursue it, as her mom and dad ran a grocery store in Estevan which kept her busy.
Years later, Andrist would marry Robert and have two daughters, Carren and Britta.
While on their farm, Andrist worked part-time at an office in Estevan, helped on the farm, and did the farm’s books, while raising their two children.
Andrist took her first-year university classes at the Estevan Southeast Regional College. When her course was completed, her husband encouraged her to go to the University of Regina.
In 1999 she enrolled into the University of Regina for the fall semester and continued with classes until the spring of 2004 when she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts and Visual Degree, with distinction.
Robert was very supportive of her art. Six years ago, Robert passed away, and with neither of their daughters having interest in the farm, the farm was sold and Andrist moved to Redvers three years later.
Andrist has focused on her art and has had a colourful career with doing oils, watercolour, 3D fabric and wood carving. She also sews and has many other talents.
Her wood carvings are very popular and are like whimsical houses and wood spirits. She nearly sold-out of her wood carvings last year at the Artist Colony.
In 2001 and 2020 Andrist was chosen for the OSAC adjudicated art competition, along with one other person.
She represented Saskatchewan in 2004 at the BMO first invitational Art Competition in Toronto, Ontario.
The City of Estevan accepted her commission called “Free Spirit” in 2009. It is a 10-foot metal sculpture that stands by the entry way at Affinity Place.
Her home is full of her art, which could be a herd of deer laying in the snow, a sunset or a bouquet of flowers, and she loves them all.
She will once again attend the Artist Colony of Moose Mountain Provincial Park from July 25 – 31 for the second year.
From July 9 – 13, Andrist will attend an artist retreat at the Connexus Centre in Moosomin, where 20 artists will attend.
She looks forward to her busy month and hopes to see many new faces at the colony.
