Cher Shaffer (1947 - )

Born on a small farm near Atlanta, Georgia, Cher grew up as a child of nature. Her Native American mother would walk through the Georgia woods with Cher and shared her appreciation for nature which was founded in the tradions of her people. Her father had a famous ancestor - Martin Luther - and was a devout Baptist. Cher could not help but develop a strong love for nature and the Creator. After her mother died, Cher began to paint. Emotions spilled out of Cher and took form as memory paintings.

It was in the year 1978 that Cher's untrained yet gifted hand started recording her memories of childhood through brush and canvas. The work was therapudic and saw her through the loss of her mother. Earlier pieces show church services, parties, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and daily farm life. They tend to show things as they should be, not necessarily as they were. As she progressed as an artist, Cher began to delve into fantasy.

1985 brought tragedy as Cher suffered a heart attack. As these things can be, it was a turning point in Cher's life that caused her to focus on what really mattered to her. She began to think about her legacy. She started contemplating death and it showed in her work. Images of spectres and goblins were prevalent.

Today, Cher is a well-known Folk Artist who regularly exhibits at the Outsider Art Fair in New York City and the Kentuck Festival of the Arts in Northport, Alabama. Her work was featured in the seminal exhibition and Book "O' Appalachia". Her work is highly prized by collectors.

Cher is also a well-educated collector of American Folk Art. She is extremely knowledgeable about the genre and it's history.

Cher works in several mediums, including stone, mixed-media, and wood. She also creates beautiful dolls and masks.