The work of local artist Cherie Serrano will now be available for viewing and purchasing in her own gallery at Spruce Street Landing on the waterfront in Ranier.
The public is welcomed to an open house event which will celebrate this new endeavor from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday. Punch, dainties and coffee will be served.
Serrano’s picturesque shingle reads “Rainy Lake Gallery” and within the shop formerly occupied by Jim Cowgill, art lovers in Borderland will see a range of Serrano’s original oil and acrylic paintings as well as two available prints. On display will be 25 framed original paintings in a variety of sizes and subject matters. Also offered is a line of Cherie Serrano note cards.
The gallery will be open regularly from 5 to 7 p.m. on Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. And it will also serve as Serrano’s studio. She plans to spend quiet time there creating more waterscapes and portraits.
“We’re so thankful for this opportunity, it’s a great location,” said the soft-spoken artist. “I’m looking forward to this fun way to spend the summer.”
Serrano is currently consigned with the 40-year-old “Wild Wings” original art catalog that bills itself as representing America’s top nature, sporting, Americana and nostalgia artists, including Terry Redlin exclusively. “They were very excited to hear that I’m opening my own gallery,” she said.
Her art is also offered for sale at Cabela’s across the country; one of her originals is featured at $4,900. But her work includes a lower range as well.
Serrano’s artistry appears on scrap booking papers, screen savers and casual wear. Last year, she received her first contract for the Wild Wings production of a 2010 Serrano calendar, which will be distributed worldwide.
She plans to be doing more portraits — one of her most recent works a portrayal of father and tiny son on John Deere lawn tractors which has received very positive feedback.
“But I will always paint Rainy Lake,” she said of the cachet work with which she is making a name for herself.
With natural ability and an intrinsic love for her native Rainy Lake, Serrano was born in Fort Frances and raised on the Canadian side of the lake. She crossed the border to make her home on the American side with husband Dave Serrano and their two boys, Edward, 8, and William, 5.
The family is delighted to now be a part of Ranier.
“We’ve made our fair share of trips to the ice cream shop,” Serrano said with a chuckle.
In love with the outdoors, Serrano was a child herself when her first brush strokes responded to the beauty of the wilderness area in which she was born.
She grew up with three siblings at Taylor’s Cove — her family’s Rainy Lake resort with the pristine backdrop of artists’ dreams. This scenery provided rich perspectives for the artisan whose work has been referred to as “just too diverse to fall into one of the main stream categories.”
Her volition in depicting all creatures great and small remains at heart a labor of love, she told The Daily Journal last year for a story entitled “Her joyful gift.”
Her joyful gifts are now at hand and her work will grace the shores of the sparkling waters which have so inspired this young mother and painter.
If you go:
WHAT: Open House for the new Rainy Lake Gallery in Ranier
WHEN: 4-7 p.m. • Friday in Ranier
The public is invited to an event that celebrates the new gallery of artist Cherie Serrano, acclaimed oil and acrylic painter.
Refreshments will be served.
Serrano’s Web site will be up soon.
