Born and raised in Indiana, Cheryl Kaldahl finds great joy in her surroundings and often uses them and what she observes in nature in her paintings. She is currently a working artist involving herself in community art programs, teaching piano and performing locally. She has a studio in downtown Lafayette at Ferry Street Studios, 635 Ferry Street and may be visited there by appointment. In her Artist's Statement, Cheryl says, "ENCHANTMENT IN COLOR is a body of work that shows the process of my learning, developing, and discovering the joy of painting with different media and how it can be used to capture a glimpse of people, places, and things that have inspired my creative spirit.
I began taking private lessons in watercolor from Rena Brouwer and in oil from Chris Kuchta. With their guidance, as you will see in my paintings, I have learned many things about color theory, composition, design and so much more. As you travel through the exhibit you will experience my ARTISTIC ADVENTURE and my progression up to and including my most current work". Professional Memberships include: The Hoosier Salon, Indiana Plein Aire Painters Association, Tippecanoe Arts Federation, Wabash Valley Watercolor Society and the Watercolor Society of Indiana. For more information about the artist, you may visit her website at: www.cherylkaldahl.com.
John Mayotte was born in a rural farmhouse in Jasper County, Indiana. Primarily self-taught, John found himself imbued with ample amounts of creativity and naturally gravitated to the world of art. Beginning with crude drawings of pigs at the tender age of three, John's love of art evolved and expanded during his childhood. He experimented with photorealism at the age of twelve and by his teens was creating award-winning pieces like an Eiffel Tower constructed entirely of toothpicks that won 1st prize at the Jasper County Fair. He helped neighborhood kids build soapbox racers, assembled an endless string of model airplanes in his spare time and even assisted his middle school art teacher during class demonstrations. While working for R. R. Donnelley & Sons John became interested in leather crafting. In 1965, at home while recovering from back surgery, John began to design and craft leather objects. 
This interest would become the focus of his life for the next 43 years. And what a focus it has been! He has created leather billfolds, belts, business folders, chaps, vests, gloves, purses, moccasins, holsters, gun belts, hats, clocks, animal heads and pictures sold all over the United States, South America and Russia. He even made custom leather seats for his Chrysler 300. John has also been prolific in nearly every medium he tried. He enjoyed investigating sculpture, ceramics, watercolor, ink, oil painting and illustration. 
He produced literally thousands of pieces covering numerous subjects. His works include a seven and a half foot tall polar bear using 2 x 2s, hardware cloth and shag carpeting, a 100ft x 48 ft beach scene mural commissioned by Donnelley's for their North Plant location, and a 6 foot tall cactus created from galvanized roofing material. He also dabbled in taxidermy and has mounted deer heads, buffalo and deer feet.Now that you have met these two renaissance artists, do come to the Library Gallery and enjoy this special September experience.
