Original Abstract Art & Lifescapes by Cheryl Harrison MA

Welcome to my studio. I am a contemporary Australian abstract artist with a career spanning over twenty-five years. My work focuses on creating large-scale abstract paintings on canvas—pieces I call my “lifescapes”.

Every sweeping brushstroke, layered tonal wash, and delicate mark on my canvas is a direct emotional translation of life experiences, travel, and a deep sensitivity to music. I paint from a place of absolute creative freedom, transforming empty linen into rich, textured statements meant to anchor premium residential and commercial spaces.

From the Cornish Coast to Tropical Queensland: My Artistic Apprenticeship

My creative path has been defined by two of the world’s most iconic artistic environments. In the late 1990s, I relocated to the United Kingdom, finding my home and studio in the historic, light-charged art colony of St Ives in Cornwall.

Living in St Ives served as my creative apprenticeship. I spent five years completely immersed in the local artistic community, engaging with and learning alongside some of the last great postmodern British artists, including Sandra Blow, Terry Frost, and Barrie Cooke. The legacies of British Modernism fundamentally shaped my understanding of form, texture, and light.

Upon returning to Australia, I formalised my decades of hands-on practice by completing my Masters in Visual Arts at the Queensland College of Art (QCA) in Brisbane under the direct mentorship of Jenny Watson.

Driven by an inherent desire for open space and to somehow recapture the romance of St.Ives and seaside living, I eventually relocated to the far northern tropical edge of Queensland. Today, I create from my private sun-drenched studio in Port Douglas. The drama and whimsy of life in Cornwall, the vibrant energy of the tropics  and my urban explorations in Japan provide the core inspiration for my premium collections.

Resilience, Television Cameras, and Textured Canvases

Long before I dedicated my life fully to the canvas, I built a career working in media as a professional television camera-woman. Operating broadcast cameras trained my eye to capture composition, hidden movement, and the dramatic interplay of shifting natural light—principles that guide my abstract expressionism today.

My choices and my creative process have also been profoundly shaped by navigating life with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Rather than letting physical challenges limit me, it has forced me to develop an intense, highly intentional relationship with my mediums. Every gestural mark, heavy palette knife layer, and fluid ink line is a physical celebration of movement and resilience.

Major Career Milestones & Collectability

My original canvases are highly sought after by private collectors and corporate curators across Australia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

• Recognised Authority: Named a Top Ten Bluethumb Artist and featured prominently in Forbes Australia.
• Exhibitions: Solo and group exhibitions spanning the Strand in London, Cambridge, Truro, St Ives, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Cairns.
• Notable Collections: Original commissions permanently acquired by luxury hotels and corporate groups, including the prestigious Capella Hotel Sydney Collection, Queen & Collins Melbourne, and the GPT Group Corporate Collection.
• Media Features: As seen on national television and design publications, including Grand Designs and Channel 9’s Space Invaders.

Twin Studios: A Creative Partnership

When I am not working on my large gestural expressionist canvases, my creative world is shared with my life partner and fellow contemporary artist, Perry. Working from our home studios in Tropical North Queensland, we balance two distinctly unique visual languages under one roof… well, two roofs (my studio’s better😉). While my focus remains on the fluid landscapes and light of coastal environments, he explores the bold, structural realities of modern culture. You can discover his signature urban line art, figurative works, and original collections directly via his official PEZ Art Website. Our creative synergy provides a constant source of inspiration, keeping our independent studio practices deeply connected yet distinct.

Bring a Luxury Statement Into Your Space

Whether you are looking to purchase a completed original canvas or wish to collaborate on a bespoke size and custom color palette for your interior design project, I invite you to explore my current collections.

• Browse Available Original Large Paintings
• Inquire About the Custom Commissions Process

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)