Mentor Cherilyn Misling (left) and mentee Marley S.R. Moose (right).

Mentoring is a rewarding experience for both the mentor and the mentee. Creative Manitoba serves as a facilitator to help up-and-coming rural artists find mentors to further their artistic growth. In this spotlight, graphic designer and mentor Cherilyn Misling and her mentee Marley S.R. Moose talk about their experiences working together!

What sorts of things have you been doing or talking about within your artistic discipline during this program?

Together, we have been talking about the more professional aspects of logo design and more efficient ways to create new pieces. I typically don’t do digital work so having Cherilyn nearby helped a lot with the motivation to keep on going.
– Marley

Marley has a strong artistic background in working with physical media such as sketching and painting. We used the mentorship program to really focus on bringing her art to life in a digital form. This was a great time to teach Marley the ins and outs of Adobe Illustrator. Once we created the artwork, I was able to share my knowledge with Marley about how client work is presented to clients. A submission for the Paskwayak Gas Bar Logo Contest was a great way to put that knowledge into practice.
– Cherilyn

How long have you been a practicing artist?

I have been an artist since I first started drawing, although I began painting and learning more about colour theory in middle school while living in the South Osborne part of Winnipeg.
– Marley

I have been practicing art professionally since 2021. I create on a freelance basis for clients around my tri-community and all over Manitoba. My hope is to extend my reach to other provinces in the future.
– Cherilyn

What aspect of your work brings you joy?

I enjoy seeing all the pieces come together, it helps me develop patience. I enjoy art, you can send a message with it or create just to have fun and learn. With art there always is room to learn and develop techniques and with so many mediums available it’s never-ending knowledge!
– Marley

My passion comes from working with clients to find their visual voice, to create and ignite the spark they require to reach their audience, and seeing my designs out in the real world.
– Cherilyn

Now that the program has ended, what have you taken away from this? Is there anything that really excited you in your time together?

I feel as if my art has become more put together since participating in mentorship. Looking back on older pieces, I notice my newer art is more vibrant and flows together much nicer entirely.
– Marley

Having the opportunity to pass on my knowledge and skills to a younger artist was truly something special. This program allowed me to step out of my comfort zone a little and practice teaching. Seeing Marley’s ideas come to life was so cool. I love the way her mind works and she has taught me new ways of looking at things.
– Cherilyn