The voice in question belongs to talented artist Sherrill Defoe who is calling from the Netherlands. Her Dutch accent is peppered with a Caribbean staccato that hints at her childhood in Curaçao.
Sherrill Defoe’s unique artistic style has cultivated a global following. I am one of the thousands of followers who double-tap and leave comments on her Instagram posts. I was initially captivated by her earlier work (colorful canvases with bright, bold colors) and I’ve remained a loyal fan as her aesthetic evolved into digital illustrations in sorbet colored palettes.
She originally left the tropical island of Curaçao to study Law in the Netherlands. Due to an administrative twist of fate, Sherrill found herself without an internship one summer. This snafu left her with plenty of time to indulge in one of her childhood passions; painting.
On a whim, she posted some of her work online and was amazed by the response. By popular demand she opened Defoe Studio, an online shop, and started selling prints and other merchandise decorated with her artwork.
Sherrill resumed her University classes in the Fall, but realizing her heart was no longer in her studies she decided to become a full time artist.
In retrospect Sherrill realizes that she always wanted to be an artist, but it just wasn’t something “one did if you wanted to be successful in the Caribbean”. She continues to explain, “doctors, lawyers, those were the types of career paths I knew my parents would want me to pursue”. Fortunately, after seeing her success and happiness as an artist, she now has her parents’ full support.
She feels that one of the most fulfilling aspects of being an artist is seeing the way her work resonates with women of color around the world. Her themes are universal: natural hair, melanated skin, girl squads hanging out and looking fabulous. The women in her illustrations are drawn against backdrops ranging from the boardroom to the hair salon; every woman can relate to something in her artwork.
Her customers span the globe – she mentions that she’s recently shipped prints to Japan and Dubai. Despite cultural and linguistic differences, Sherrill feels that women around the World are essentially all the same. “The curves, the hair, the makeup – we all like to feel pretty and hangout with our friends”.
Sherrill also has a deep appreciation for the strength and confidence that women possess – she honors these traits in her illustrations through her signature line work and the erect posture of her subjects.
Although the artistic creativity came to her naturally, conquering the business aspect of running Defoe Studios took a little more time. She sighs and admits that much of her business acumen was learned through trial and error.
Sherrill says that having patience and being innovative are major keys to establishing and maintaining her creative business. She acknowledges that sales can (and do) ebb and flow, but she wouldn’t trade being an artist and entrepreneur for anything in the world.
“It can be difficult at times, but you should never give up doing something you love”, she says with a joyful confidence.
In addition to creating new artwork for her thriving online shop, Sherrill is also working on a book cover design and a few brand logos. She dreams of designing packaging for beauty products or a makeup line one day, but for now her plate is full and she couldn’t be happier.
“It still amazes me that people want to hang my artwork on their walls” , she says with enthusiasm “and I still get excited every time I get a new order”.
“Really?”, I ask. “I thought you’d be used to it by now”.
“No, I’m not used to it”, she giggles, “I still get happy every single time.
If that’s the case, Sherrill Defoe definitely has a long and happy future ahead.
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Multi-faceted Designer, Creative Director & Founder of SCOTCHBONNET! Accessories