Tim%20Cherry Works

Tim produces sculptures which not only attract the viewers eye but also the viewers hand. Born in Calgary,
Alberta in 1965, Tim grew up in Nelson, a town located among the rugged Canadian Rockies in southeastern
British Columbia. This is where he developed a love of wildlife and the outdoors. Escaping into the wilds was then,
and still is, a spiritual experience. At sixteen Tim began working summers as a cook and wrangler for a hunting
outfit, which took him into the wilderness country of northern British Columbia. By the time Tim was eighteen he
was guiding his own clients on two week trips. The next twelve years saw Tim working with other outfitters who
ventured further into the vast expanses of the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Throughout all of these
experiences, Tim’s keen eye and mind were recording the shapes and movement of the wild animals of this vast
wilderness.

Tim’s love for these creatures led to an interest in taxidermy. Despite the fact that he was unaware of any
aspirations for a future in fine art, his interests were going that direction. At age 19 Tim contacted taxidermist
Forest Hart, who welcomed him to his workshop in Hampden, Maine. Hart specialized in sculpting mannequins -
the artificial bodies used by taxidermists. As a student, Tim’s hand and mind became skilled in modeling animals’
musculature. He sculpted models for the production process in taxidermy, while learning animal anatomy from the
inside out. Tim also observed Hart as he prepared a sculpture to be transformed into bronze. Accompanying Hart
to a New York foundry, Tim experienced the fascinating and magical process of fine art bronze for the first time.
This observation led Tim to realize that his own life work was finding direction as this would be the year Tim would
complete his first sculpture.

In 1988 while Tim was living in Canada, he met noted sculptor Dan Ostermiller who invited him to visit his
studio in Loveland, Co. “Ostermiller gave me the opportunity to begin my career,” Tim said. Tim then went to work
in the studio of both Ostermiller and Fritz White learning the skills necessary for the sculptural process. According
to Tim, “I learned direction, enthusiasm, and perseverance from Fritz White. He taught me the importance of mass
and volume and gave me the confidence to keep trying different options, never quitting on a design. Fritz was, and
still is a source of inspiration and a mentor.” White also gave Tim the opportunity to try stone carving in his studio.
Carving alabaster, Tim began to find within it the shapes of the animals which were to become his life work,
experimenting with graceful simple lines and forms. Tim states, “My sculptural approach involves the use of
simplified shapes and lines to produce curvilinear forms. I enjoy orchestrating these elements into sculpture that is
rhythmical, flowing and inviting to the touch. Capturing the grace and elegance of my subjects is a primary goal.”
It was from that approach that Tim’s unique style resulted: an expression of each animals personality, movement
and behavior. The animals pulse with life and innately celebrate life. Grace and elegance truly are qualities
immediately recognizable in Tim’s work, but another quality frequently present; is a sense of whimsy, which marks
a number of his works.

The sculptures are issued in small editions, a fact which collectors truly appreciate. The bronze sculptures
are also enhanced by Tim’s highly polished surfaces, which glimmer with reflective light making them incredibly
tactile. About the patinas, Tim says, “With the smooth surfaces I have a large palette of options available, since my
work leans toward a more contemporary style, I enjoy experimenting with colorful lively patinas. To me color is an
important part of the design.”

Tim has also been recognized by his peers: at the age of twenty- five he gained membership in the Society
of Animal Artists and five years later at only thirty, he was elected to membership in the National Sculpture Society
and also the National Sculptors Guild. Tim produces sculptures which bring pleasure to his clients and grace
homes, offices and public places both nationally and internationally. He is also a sought after contributor to major
exhibitions throughout the United States. In 2001, Tim received the James Earl Fraser Sculpture Award, presented
annually for the sculpture exhibiting exception merit as deemed by the National Cowboy and Heritage Museum in
Oklahoma City during the Prix de West Invitational for the sculpture “Snake in the Grass.” Tim received the
prestigious Bronze Medal 2001, Bedi-Makky 2002 and Elliot Gantz and Company 2003 awards from the National
Sculpture Society. Tim’s sculpture can be found in galleries across the continent, in collectors homes
internationally and gracing the pages of Southwest Art, Wildlife Art, Art of the West and other magazines.
Tim says sincerely, “It takes a tremendous amount of teamwork, time and money to cast bronze. I am
extremely grateful for everyone involved with my artwork, their efforts means a great deal to me. As the saying
goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Well, I feel it takes a tribe to raise a sculptor! My family, friends, peers,
foundry personnel, patineur, galleries and collectors - are all apart of that tribe.”

Residence: Branson, Missouri with Wife, Daughter and Dog - Linda, Amber and Tikka.