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Illustration & Commissions

 

Cheryn is usually found blending nature illustration with the historical calligraphy and illumination styles of medieval manuscripts. Using a variety of period-accurate media has provided her a unique perspective on the process of calligraphy, illumination, and book arts as a whole, and several of her pieces are done with historically accurate materials and gold leaf. As a lifelong learner and professional instructional designer, she also teaches workshops on painting and ink drawing techniques. 

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Cheryn is also an award-winning game designer and mixed media crafter; when she's not hand-painting vintage-style maps, she may be found repairing thrift store dollhouses, sculpting fossilized ichthyosaurs from clay, experimenting with floral design, or constructing a human-sized model of a horseshoe crab. 

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Cheryn is currently accepting commissions. 

Demonstrations & Interactive Events

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  • Artisan Demonstration & Scriptorium. Instructor, organizer, & host, “Illuminators & Scribes Guild”. Richmond RenFaire 2026, hosted by Virago Alley. Dorey Park, Richmond, VA. April 18-19, 2026.
     

  • Scriptorium, Historic Calligraphy & Illumination Workshop. Instructor & host.

    • August 4, 2025. "Warriors in Bloom" Richmond RenFaire event, hosted by Virago Alley. Agecroft Hall, Richmond, VA.

    • October 11-12, 2013. Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA)’s WOW VIII Event. Elkin, NC.

    • October 12-13, 2012. SCA’s WOW VII Event. Elkin, NC.
       

  • Books and Writing in the Medieval Period, Instructor. Medieval Artisans Day at the Emerson Waldorf School, Chapel Hill, NC. September 18, 2012

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Classes & Workshops, Instructor

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  • Wandmaking Workshop. Aquarian Bookshop, Richmond, VA. October 19, 2024.

  • Painting Trompe-l'œil Gems. SCA’s Pennsic University, Slippery Rock, PA. August 6, 2024.

  • Crystals and Coloring Books: Basic Bookbinding and Trompe l'Oeil. Aquarian Bookshop, Richmond, VA. June 25, 2024.

  • Creating a Page from a Medieval Gem Book. Frederick Book Arts Center, Frederick, MD, June 10, 2024.

  • Circles and Lines and Spinning, Oh My! Session 101. Co-taught with Charlotte Mauler-Hayes. Society for Creative Anachronism's (Virtual) Atlantian University UA104, June 13, 2020.

  • Pretty Flower! Highlighting & Shading Techniques, Session 513. Society for Creative Anachronism's Atlantian University UA96, June 10, 2017

  • Introduction to Persian Scripts: Basic Writing and Calligraphy Principles, Session 113. Instructor. Society for Creative Anachronism's Atlantian University UA96, June 10, 2017

  • Shading and Highlighting Techniques on Medieval Manuscripts

    • October 15-18, 2015. Instructor. Society for Creative Anachronism’s WOW X Event, Session 401.

    • September 19, 2015. Instructor. Society for Creative Anachronism’s Atlantian University UA91

  • Intermediate Calligraphy & Illumination – Kicking Your ‘Scrolls’ Up a Notch, Session 403. Co-taught with Charlotte Hayes. Book Arts Track, Society for Creative Anachronism’s Atlantian University CA26, October 10, 2013

  • Scribal Arts from the Mira Calligraphiae Monumenta, Session 705. Co-taught with Charlotte Hayes. Book Arts Track, Society for Creative Anachronism’s Atlantian University CA26, October 10, 2013

  • Hands-On Gilding, Session 609. Co-taught with Nancy Hulan. Scribal Arts Track, Society for Creative Anachronism’s Atlantian University UA78, March 5, 2011

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Exhibitions & Recognition

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  • Duality Gallery Show, Frederick Book Arts Center, Frederick, MD, June-July 2025. Contributing artist, "Birds of a Feather".
     

  • Historical Artisans Gallery Show, Gallery5, Richmond, VA. March 2025. Contributing artist, several works.
     

  • Restore the Wild Exhibit, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

    • March 2025, Contributing artist, "SturgeonCore Aesthetic". Main Street Station, Richmond, VA.

    • March 2024. Contributing artist, "Memento Skunki". Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center, Richmond, VA
       

  • One Page Dungeon Contest by Spiel Knights

    • 2022 Featured Guest Judge

    • 2021 First Place Overall Winner, “This Place Is A Zoo”. Artist and writer.

    • 2020 Third Place Winner, for “Ex Libris Pendyl”. Artist and co-writer.
       

  • Artworks All-Media Show, ArtWorks, Richmond, VA.

    • November 2018. Contributing artist.

    • February 2016. Contributing artist.
       

  • Illuminations of East and West Exhibition, Lodge of the Fisherman, Lynchburg, VA. November 2015. Featured artist.
     

  • Library Thoughts Book Arts Gallery Series

    • August - September 2015. Contributing artist. Library Thoughts 5, Part II, Jókai Klub, Budapest, Hungary.

    • June - July 2015. Contributing artist. Library Thoughts 5, Part I, MAMU Galéria, Budapest, HU.

    • October 2014. Contributing artist. Library Thoughts 4, Book Arts Gallery Display, Hegyvidék Galéria, Budapest, HU.
       

  • Order of the Laurel, recognition from Society for Creative Anachronism, at Atlantian Twelfth Night, January 2015. Award recipient for excellence in arts, research, and teaching.
     

  • Theatrical & Historical Costume Concepts, Theatre Arts Gallery Display, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. December 2010. Portfolio artist.
     

  • Figures, Theatre Arts Gallery Display, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. December 2009. Portfolio artist.

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Works Published

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  • One Page Dungeon Compendium Volume III, Spring 2022. Goblins and Growlers. Contributing artist & author.
     

  • 2021 One Page Dungeon Compendium, "This Place Is A Zoo", Fall 2020. Shattered Pike Studios. Contributing artist & author.
     

  • 2020 One Page Dungeon Compendium, "Ex Libris Pendyl", Fall 2020. Shattered Pike Studios. Contributing artist & author.
     

  • One Page Dungeon Compendium Volume II, Spring 2021. Goblins and Growlers. Contributing artist & author.
     

  • Feats of Excursa, Fall 2020. Goblins and Growlers. Artist, author, producer.
     

  • One Page Dungeon Compendium Volume I, Spring 2020. Goblins and Growlers. Contributing artist & author.
     

  • Lynchburg News and Advance,

    • "Kindred Spirits," November 2015. Article by Emma Schkloven, photos by A. Parry. Featured artist.

    • The Burg, "Kindred Spirits," November 11, 2015. Article by Emma Schkloven, photos by A. Parry. Featured artist.
       

  • The Acorn

    • Volume 35 Issue 6, June 2015, pg. 6 (“Masters of Defense”). Featured artist.

    • Volume 34, Issue 10, October 2014, pg. 12 ("Letia's Opal"). Featured artist.
       

  • Edicts and Epistles

    • Volume 32 Issue 2, February 2015, cover art (“Thistlethueyt”) Featured artist.

    • Volume 31, Issue 4, April 2014, cover art ("Heroes & Villains") Featured artist.
       

  • 16 Blocks: Southwest Virginia’s Art & Culture Magazine, Issue 29, pg. 25. 2012. D. Chastain, “Pen and Scroll,” (photos of artwork by L. Callahan) Featured artist.
     

  • The Roanoke Times, 2010-2012. Monthly fashion illustration advertisements for Bonomo’s Clothiers. Artist.

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