Meet Cheryl Derricotte | Artist & CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cheryl Derricotte and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cheryl, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
When I think about risk-taking as an artist, it is a balance between making work with strong, often political, content and the volume of work. My primary mediums are glass and paper. Fortunately, sculptural glass art is ruled by the creation of individual artworks. When making work-on-paper, I have chosen to go with smaller editions, 5 – 35 tops. These are my strategies to solve the problem of too much material/supply outlay upfront and too much inventory in the studio.

I apply this same strategy of managing risk in my fine art creation to production lines as well. Small runs of fun “merch” – whether wearable art or stickers – allow me to introduce my studio in a super-affordable way to new collectors, while keeping inventory on hand minimal. In all aspects of my art business, I believe the principles of exclusivity and limited edition drops are my friends. Art lovers at all levels of the collecting journey value having unique items.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a visual artist and my favorite mediums are glass and paper. Originally from Washington, DC, I live and make art in San Francisco, CA. My art has been featured in the New York Times, The Guardian, The San Francisco Chronicle, MerciSF and the San Francisco Business Times. I am super-excited about my first sculptural public art commission! In 2021, I was awarded the commission to develop a monument to Harriet Tubman at the transit-oriented development Gateway at Millbrae Station, and it will be the first sculptural tribute to the abolitionist in glass.

In terms of my creative process, I make art from research. This type of inquiry also leads me not just to economic but also environmental concerns. Most often I create work in series. I use a variety of glass and printmaking techniques. My cold glasswork often takes form as sculptural mixed media, involving books and found objects. My warm glass pieces, feature public domain historical photographs, drawings, or my own photographs. My preferred techniques include screen-printing with glass powders.

My work on paper employs the techniques of image transfers, ink stamping, collage and the craft of bookbinding. Text is an important component of my artwork. I often say that I live under the tyranny of title. Thus, many of my pieces have titles before I ever make a schematic drawing, much less cut a piece of glass.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
San Francisco is a wonderful city. I always encourage visitors to hike to the top of Twin Peaks for amazing city views and visit Land’s End to get close to the Pacific Ocean. I am partial to the great museums that have supported my career, so visits to the Museum of the African Diaspora and the de Young are a must. You can never go wrong with a vegan sushi dinner at Shizen. The best items to take home with you will be found at Dandelion Chocolate and The Aesthetic Union: Custom Letterpress Print Shop.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Shoutout is dedicated to Tim Tate, Co-Founder of the Washington Glass School. He is a great mentor and even better friend. I am so fortunate to have his support! Check out his artwork at https://www.timtateglass.com

Website: https://www.cherylderricottestudio.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cherylderricottestudio/

Other: On Clubhouse: @cdstudio

Image Credits
Artist Headshot: Nye’ Lyn Tho.  Studio and Glass Artworks: Courtesy of the Artist, Cheryl Derricotte