Check out Sherry Dryja’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherry Dryja.

Sherry, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Although my day job as a technical illustrator involves drafting images to illustrate an invention, up until recently, I have considered my real art to be the written word. A couple of years ago I started writing a fashion blog called Petite Over 40. At first, the text was number 1 and the photos were supplemental. Little by little, though, the images have become more and more important. I’ve spent time learning how to make my photos better and now I work to create art through fashion and photography.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I write a fashion blog called Petite Over 40. Women over 40 often feel invisible and, at 45 years old, I was starting to feel that way myself. So I started the blog to explore fashion and discover a signature style. To do this, I research fashion icons–Audrey Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich, Coco Chanel, etc.–and, using both vintage and modern fashions, I try on the styles they made famous. My photos, then, are often side-by-side shots of the original fashion icon and my version of what she’s wearing.

Lately, I have been creating photos with a little more art to them. They’re not just about the outfit with me posing in front of a tree. The fashion is important but so is the art behind it. So, for example, I used a vintage red pantsuit recently to create the Pantsuit Hero, a comic book hero with amazing taste and dance moves. It still features the fashion but makes it more interesting.

My hope is that readers and viewers will be entertained with what I do. Although fashion is an art that should be taken seriously, life feels way too heavy these days, so I hope my art lightens people’s hearts a little. If readers and viewers get more out of it beyond that–style ideas, courage to try something they hadn’t before–even better.

Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
I think the biggest challenge facing artists is being seen, finding an audience, and building a business out of it that can actually pay the bills. Places like Instagram are godsends for many because it allows artists to post their work and be seen worldwide. But it also makes it harder because there are thousands of others doing the same thing. So, getting the attention of the people you really want to connect with is part of the work it takes to be successful.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work can be found at PetiteOver40.com and on Instagram at @petiteover40.

People can support my work by following me on my blog or on Instagram. I also have a Zazzle store at https://www.zazzle.com/fineartdeloris where I post wearable art I’ve created over the years. I add to it whenever I can.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.petiteover40.com
• Email: sherry@dryja.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petiteover40/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PetiteOver40/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/PetiteOver40
• Other: https://www.zazzle.com/fineartdeloris

Image Credit:
Sherry Dryja

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