A luminous and lyrical still life, Keepers of the Bloom invites the viewer into a soft, light-filled world of memory, beauty, and quiet presence.
This large oil painting features a pair of garden dog sculptures — Missy and Scrapper — who stand gently on watch beside a bouquet of pink lilies, delicate and radiant. These cherished sculptures, long-time companions of the artist’s home and garden, are nestled within a thoughtfully composed still life of symbolic objects.
The arrangement evokes a sense of peaceful ceremony. A small Buddha, gifted to the artist by her husband at seventeen, glows with serene light. Painted with subtle highlights and masterful edges, this figure also serves as a teaching tool in Cheryl’s studio — demonstrating how to create “shine” through contrast and colour temperature.
As in all of Cheryl Willcox’s work, the brushwork is expressive and intentional, with visible marks and layered colour revealing the artist’s hand and heart. This piece holds stillness, softness, and care — an homage to the guardians we love and the moments that quietly bloom around them.