Maggie Cheatham

Maggie Cheatham is from Dacula, Georgia and is graduating in December 2021 with a BA in Graphic Design. She has always had a deep passion to create and express herself through her work. She enjoys a variety of art including photography, painting, and graphic design. After graduating, Maggie plans to move to Nashville in the Spring of 2022 to explore working as an Interior Designer and Cosmetologist. In addition, Maggie intends to continue producing commission artworks as well as taking photoshoots on the side.

Website: margaretcheatham.wixsite.com

Artist Statement

The Elements of Individuality

From a young age, not only have I always been fascinated with how uniquely different every single person is, but also how our distinct differences create a harmonic relationship between each other. Additionally, I am passionate about acknowledging the specific qualities and interests each person possesses. When we embrace our natural strengths, there is a special type of inspiring light we find in ourselves that enables us to recognize the undoubtable connection we share with those around us.

I am creating mixed media artworks by taking photos of models, using photoshop to erase the background of the photo, and then incorporating a different natural element behind each subject with acrylic paint. Within our ecosystem, there are four major natural elements including earth, water, fire, and air. Within my artworks, these elements individually recognize the uniqueness of each human; however collectively, they reveal the harmonic balance we all share as a community.

I invite my viewer to see not only the outward appearance of the people in my pieces, but also the importance of their stories and how their personal experiences give them their own powerful identity. We are often blinded by the normality of seeing people each day causing us to forget the wonders we are surrounded by. Within nature, you can always walk outside and appreciate the variety of flowers, bodies of water, and the air and sunshine that make these elements thrive. It is easy to observe the beauty in our natural world; however, that same beauty can be seen in people as well: both individually and together.

Project Description

My mixed media artworks are thoughtfully constructed by using artistic images of my models and then painting an element of nature to symbolize each of their individual identities. I chose to use the four essential elements of nature; earth, water, air, and fire. I chose these four essential elements because they are all vastly different but can also work together as one. Each model is portrayed as one of the four essential elements in order to portray their unique individuality. The sole purpose of my project is to show that while each of my models have differences, those specific distinctions can simultaneously work together as one. Similarly, it is easy to observe the physical beauty in our natural world; however, that same beauty can be seen in people as well: both individually and conjointly.