Nov 26, 2019
Cheryl's first experience with desert was in the
early 80’s, driving to Palm Springs for Spring Break with a friend
- and her friend’s grandmother drove them around Palm Springs to
see the sights.
After
that, Cheryl started coming out to the desert on her own, not
really knowing about Joshua Tree until a former boyfriend suggested
they visit a place he used to rock climb. On arrival, Cheryl was so
taken with the place, she asked him to stop the car, so she could
get out and take in the unique landscape and wide open
space.
Eventually, LA traffic and other factors began
to wear on Cheryl and she decided to come out and try living in the
desert for a year.
From
an early age, Cheryl was told she was creative and remembers always
working on craft projects. Just out of college with a BA in
Illustration, Cheryl expected she'd be working on the commercial
side of art and also recognized the role computers would play in
the future of some art disciplines.
In this
episode, Cheryl says she didn't set out to start her
own embroidery business. Moving to the desert and creating in a
digital medium showed her she could work from anywhere and her many
embroidery business contacts helped, giving way to her business,
Stitch Art Studio.
Not
knowing anyone when she moved to the desert and being a business
owner, Cheryl got involved in the Joshua Tree Chamber of Commerce
and shares memories of Turtle Days and Coyote Days and meeting her
husband, while serving on the Board of the Chamber.
Her
community involvement didn't stop at the Chamber. Cheryl talks
about finding the Morongo Basin Arts Council, which expanded her
community to the many creatives in the area. Cheryl served as a
volunteer and in executive capacities with the Council and also
presented her work as part of the Highway 62 Art Tours for many
years.
The
Joshua Tree Music Fest has also become a tradition for Cheryl and
her husband.
After
a 2018 trip to the Four Corners, Cheryl and her husband started
talking about a side trip to Sante Fe, for a visit with friends.
They quickly found a house outside of Albuquerque, which they are
actively remodeling to prepare for a Spring 2020 move.