Cheri is a Canadian artist and poet, originally from Windsor, Ontario. From her earliest years she was profoundly influenced by artist Rose Marie Yablonsky, her mother & mentor. Cheri met her husband, Wayne while attending the University of Windsor & after they both graduated in 1971 they were married & moved to Edmonton. Cheri's degree is in English and Psychology, however, in 1972, after her mother's death, she made a decision to devote her life's work to art. The rose in the Cheri Rose Creations logo is a tribute to Cheri's Mom. The apple, from the Russian, "yabluko", is the origin of her maiden name, Yablonsky.

Cheri & Wayne live just outside of Edmonton, Alberta, minutes from Elk Island National Park. Their married daughter Giselle is an artist, singer & songwriter. Their married son Matthew, is also a musician and is pursuing a career in engineering.

Cheri was quite content in her work as an artist and it never occurred to her that she would one day become a poet as well, and a prolific one at that.

 "In 1992, in preparation for a speaking engagement at a women’s function, I was inspired to write "The Master’s Hand". It was like hearing a song within my heart.  My life had been profoundly affected by my perception of God as the Master Artist. My subject matter was His creation and I had discovered that you couldn’t study the work of the Master for long without being drawn to the Master. His personal touch is everywhere... in creatures of the sea and sky and land, we behold the touch of the Master’s Hand. I thought the poem was a one time thing, written as a tribute to the Master Artist, the Creator who inspires me and gives my life meaning and purpose."

                                   

Then in 1992, following a medical procedure, something happened that altered the whole course of Cheri’s future. She was diagnosed with spastic disphonia, a neurological disorder that had reduced her voice to a whisper. However, she had sensed for some time that God was about to do a new thing in her life and it came in the inspiration that just began to flow, like she was merely a pen in God’s hand. "A Mother’s Love", "My Father’s Heart", "Child of Heaven", "Babes born in Heaven" ... title after title flowed from her pen and people began calling to express the way in which her poetry had touched their hearts.

"People I’ve never met call me to say how they’ve been touched by certain poems. They often say that I’ve given them a word of hope. It reminds me of the bible verse that speaks of giving a word in season to one who is weary. (Isaiah 50:4) My poems have been read at memorial services and funerals and "Child of Heaven" is engraved on one little 4-year-old boy’s headstone. Sometimes someone would just read a poem and start crying. That both humbles me and encourages me to continue because I don’t know these people, they’re strangers to me. I know its God that’s touching their hearts. I’m just the pen He uses".

                                            

In a CKER radio interview, the host, Jana Lapel commented, "It’s as if when you lost your natural voice, that God gave you a new voice through your poetry, a voice to speak the language of the heart."

Cheri's work has been auctioned to raise funds for numerous organizations, including: The Mustard Seed Church, Water for People in Canada & the US, the University Hospital, Sherwood Park Sexual Assault Center, International Conference of Women Police, Festival Place Art Center, Vanguard College, Youth Emergency Shelter, Sarnia & District Association for Community Living, Cross Cancer Institute & Qualicum Beach Art Center.

Cheri has been invited as a guest speaker on numerous occasions, sharing about the inspiration behind her paintings and poetry.
  
 
                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                  
              
                                              
 
                                                                                            Last updated: August 16, 2008