Artist Statement
I wake up most mornings and head off to my studio with papers in one hand, paint in the other and something in my mind I can't wait to get onto a canvas. The days adventure starts from there. Often using cast-off papers and substrates as my favorite mediums to work with, I'm always surprised at what people toss away. I feel like I'm saving valuable resources while creating something of beauty with them in the process.
There are so many wonderful avenues to take in art. I love the exploration! Whether I'm standing in front of my easel or a classroom full of students, it's what keeps me excited about this expressive journey: it's ever changing, aways adventurous and completely delightful.
Artist Bio
Denise Cerro’s background includes parallel careers in both visual presentation and as a faux finish and mural artist. Mural work eventually led her to painting on canvas, and her merchandising eye for putting things together stirred an interest in mixed media and assemblage art. Originally a self-taught artist, once Denise began painting on canvas, she learned as much as she could about painting techniques by taking countless classes and workshops in both representational and abstract painting.
Denise’s artwork is characterised by its vibrant, expressive use of color and a playful yet sophisticated blending of elements. Her works often displays a whimsical quality, combining elements of the fantastical with the everyday in a way that invites viewers into a unique and imaginative world. Cerro tends to utilize mixed media, which allows for a rich textural experience, incorporating various materials that add depth and interest to her pieces.
Along with creating in her home Southern California studio, Denise is a founding member of the art collective, F1VEart Studio and Gallery, in the Arts District Liberty Station in San Diego.
Exhibits and Awards
2024
Pennies From Heaven • F1VEart Gallery
Dames On Grand • Escondido Art Partnership
Summation • Escondido Ar Partnership
2023
Folklore, Fakelore, Personal Myths Narratives • Bonita Museum • Peoples Choice Award
Where TheFun Is • SDWS
Busy Mind • SDWS San Diego Water Color Society 43rd International Show
Still • Art Fluent
CONtext • Art Fluent
She • Art Fluent
2022
Escondido Municipal Art Gallery • Primarily Yellow
Seeing Red • Art Fluent
Curators Choice • Art Fluent
SDWS San Diego Water Color Society • I've Got Rhythm
Renewal • OMA Artist Alliance • Front Porch Gallery
Figures • Art Fluent
Escondido Arts Partnership • True Colors • Nicholas Wilton Juror
2021
Escondido Arts Partnership • Summation
Collage Artist Of America • Picking Up The Pieces • International Juried Exhibit
Into The Wild • Art Fluent
All About Women • Marin Society Of Artists
Women Artists Making Their Mark • O'Hanlon Center For The Arts • Online Gallery
Hype Show • Studio Door • San Diego
Oceanside Museum Of Art • Art On the Terrace Show
conTEXT• Art Fluent
Femme • Art Fluent
Spring Juried Show • Sylvia White Galley • Agoura Hills CA
Women In Art • Las Laguna Gallery * Laguna CA
Stretched Imagination • Juror Chi Essary • Oceanside Museum Of Art
2020
San Diego Watercolor Society International Show • Juror Micheal Reardon • Jordon Ressler Award
Neutral & Natural • Juror Pasha Turley
Many Faces Of Red • Juror Lisa Bebi • Ashton Gallery
Tapping • Student Teacher show with Marla English
Centered On The Center • Huntington Beach Art Center
2019
New Beginnings • Oceanside Museum Of Art /Juror Kate Ashton • Owner of Ashton Gallery San Diego
Art Of Love • Ashton Gallery
National Crow Show • Juror Chris Redfern / Executive Director of the San Diego Audubon Society • The Studio Door San Diego
Ivory Dreams • Jurors Peter & Ann Pfau / Art Collectors • Honorable Mention Award
Double Trouble • Juror Elizabeth Cumming / Art Curator • Best In Show
San Diego Fair Fine Art • Two Honorable Mentions
75 & Sunny • Juror Cindy Blumkin • Ashton Gallery
Growing Wild • Oceanside Museum Of Art Art Alliance • Jurors Kathi McCord & Peter Tobias • San Diego Botanical Gardens
True Blue • Juror Liz Jardin • Ashton Gallery
All Mixed Up• Jurors Lois Draper & Cliff MacRenolds
2018
Piece By Piece / Assemblage Art • Solo Exhibit • Encinitas Program For The Arts
Assemblage Art / Mixed Media Art • Two Honorable Mentions • San Diego County Fair Fine Art Show
Creamsicle • Jurors Tina & Craig Abernethy / Art Collectors • First Place Award • Ashton Gallery
Going Green • Juror Brenda York / Artist • Ashton Gallery
Papered • Juror Kate Ashton /Jurors Choice Award • Ashton Gallery
Home & Harvest •Jurors Mary & Ken Hotelling / Art Collectors • Honorable Mention • Ashton Gallery
Blackout National Show • Juror Daniel Foster / 30 year career in arts & museum • Ashton Gallery