Cher Odum

Colors may vary slightly due to device settings
Additional information and images can be requested: inquiry@jpepinartgallery.com

Attitude by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
13" x 9" (unframed)
21.5" x 17.5" (framed)

Poem by Dan Stone
I wear this look
to feel my attitude.
I like to take it out
and dress it up
A peekaboo,
a few strategic
strings of pearls,
Clearly not a prude,
I’ve been known
to play it anyway
but by the book,
to strut my stuff
all by myself
just because
it gets me high
to clean up good
and still be
just a little bad.
just for the hell

of knowing why.
I paint my best style
in this natural light
near the window,
where I strike
a studied pose.
It may be staged
but it’s no lie.
I’m being me,
just, more or less.
Ready for what’s next,
or what I don’t expect.
One never knows
who might stop by.

No Worries by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
16" x 20" (unframed)
23" x 27" (framed)
$1308

Poem by Dan Stone
We’ve all been here.
Trying to explain
our way of being,
sounding full moon crazy
when we tell
the full blown
loony truth.
What’s normal anyway?
The group’s think?
The shrink’s notes
from our sessions?
All this fuss because
our third eye’s never lazy.
Sure we’re seeing things
that aren’t there. Yet.
Of course we’re hearing voices,
watching pigs fly,
making choices.
That’s what gets
us off and brings
us to your brink.

Makes you ask
us if we know
what’s real.
But we don’t budge
or hide our big reveal.
Lose our link to what
most don’t believe?
We’d rather die.
We’re having way
more fun supplying
brand new diagnoses
proving the contentions
to those lies
about our sanities,
our mysteries
and how they
make us feel.
Just wish us well.
No need to medicate
or analyze or label
which half—full
or empty—when
we raise a glass.

Our cup runneth over
when we make you
wonder, sob, or gasp,
raise your fists
or laugh out loud
or stand up and applaud
someone who lifts
a finger to the crowd.
We love it when
you throw the book away,
break the old school
doctor-patient rules.
No worries.
We won’t tell.

Seers by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
16" x 12" (unframed)
23" x 19" (framed)

Poem by Dan Stone
Which way now?
What’s next?
I’m sure I’ve heard.
I’m sure I know.
Just not out loud yet.
This light behind
me isn’t real.
No one else’s vision
painted on a wall
can lead, prevail.
No one else’s song
can sing exactly how I feel.
I’ve learned although
it may be quiet in a crowd,
my truth won’t
hush for long.
Guidance pulsing
in my chest, flashing
in my searching eyes
won’t fail.

My trusted friends
will guard my path
knowing what I need.
They hear my heart
beat in my hand
They’re seers who get
that even though
I just stand here
where I am,
even though I’m still,
like a willing post, a tree,
my intuition calls,
whispers to my will
like the omniscient wind.
My wisdom, power,
like my blood, my breath,
my storming fears,
all move at
the appointed hour,
all flow right here,

all go where
what will be, will be
what I will make.
Like everything
that waits for me.

Sweet Reward by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
15" x 23" (unframed)
21.5" x 29.5" (framed)
$1308

Poem by Dan Stone
Did you see the sign
hanging on the door?
Were you surprised?
Sometimes we all need
to not be disturbed.
To settle down
and settle in,
to lose the last
damn we had to give
and just remember
how it feels to live
a little more,
to soak like pearls,
to chill like Chardonnay,

indulging nothing
and nobody else.
Not today.
Seems a rather
selfish blurb, yes?
Then I’ve said it well.
I’ve earned this rest,
learned my lessons,
honed my craft,
labored to release
obsessions, passed
several tricky tests.
It’s my sweet reward
to sink into this bliss
I’ve drawn, to read

what someone else
has paid their price to tell,
to dodge my woes
assemble every friend
who’ll heed my call
to leave me be
but still stay close
and love me,
even like this.

Seeing 20 20 by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
10" x 10" (unframed)
15" x 15" (framed)

Poem by Dan Stone
You think I’m tripping?
When you’re right,
you’re right.
My eyes have so just
popped open wide
taking in this cityscape,
this rooftop view
of this glorious
whirling dervish world,
and giving me
a brand new ticket
to a brand new ride.
I hope I sound
as amped up
girly swirly as I feel
because to give
you any other
paler poorer saner

anything but flaming
over-the-top impression
would be, well,
a crime, a shame,
an actual sin.
Almost as bad
as acting like it matters
where I’ve been
or hanging from a name.
That’s just so, then.
No reminiscing
from this perch,
no missing
what I’m seeing
while I’m seeing what
I’ve never seen before.
This wilder blue beyond
is more and more
what’s showing up

what’s coming through
as crazy real,
as crystal ringing true.
It’s like I’m finally
seeing 20/20
and I don’t know
what to do
except just love
this every single
moment like I mean it,
like I’ve made it,
like I’d never trade it,
like I’ll sing it,
write it, paint it--
anything except
explain it--
til you see it too.

Free to Choose by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
14" x 14" (unframed)
19.5" x 18.5" (framed)

Poem by Dan Stone
There’s no easy way
to say this
but we’ve got fake news.
Here’s the phony update:
We actually care.
We give a flying monkey
what you or they
think or say or do.
You may have noticed
that we’re dancing
in the street.
This is us not
wondering if
the passersby relate,
participate, approve,

or greet us with
a backpack full of frowns
they lug around to unpack
like a set of spikes
to hold us down
when our spirit flies
when we catch the wind
and spread our big
wide wings and rise.
We may descend
but not for long.
We may look nice
but damn, we’re strong.
You’re welcome,
if you want to play,

to pick a tune
and feel your feet.
Our way of being’s
free to choose.
This easy fun,
this breezy attitude
and sassy song
is yours to use.
So leave or stay,
live it up or no,
but come what may,
this groove is on!

Simplicity by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
17" x 7" (unframed)
23.5" x 13.5" (framed)

Let’s not see more
than meets the eye.
At least for now,
assume you can believe
what is; no need
to read between
these lines.
No complications,
no mysteries
to disentangle.
No beneath the surface
machinations calling
for your expertise,
your practiced
hands or peering scope.

There’s nothing else
you need to know
than this simplicity,
no deeper vein to mine,
no hidden gold
or rough edged diamond
here to find,
to dig up, polish
like a reputation.
All I’m offering
is in my arms,
fragile, fresh,
magnificent
but only for a while.
I won’t object
if you resist, project,
because you are that free.
But if you press, insist,
I’ll just say “Nope,
expect no more
than this.”
The truth is only me.

Matriculation by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
17" x 5.5" (unframed)
23.5" x 11.5" (framed)

Poem by Dan Stone
“You’re so tall.”
I’ve been hearing
this like news
since I turned
the corner
from eleven to twelve.
Since hormones
started rocketing
toward the moon.
It never made me
cool in school
except in basketball.
Or when no other
arm could reach
the shelf.
Thank the stars
not only in my eyes,
but strewn across
the hood
of sky I wear,
there came a time
I didn’t care.
A sweet graduation.

I’d learned all I could
from afar, from others’
shorter observations.
I’d done all I would
to earn
matriculation.
Now the ball
is in my long
and open court.
I lead a team
of willing birds
with only songs
to teach,
and only dreams
to take long strides
toward, my only
obligation—free
all my expectations,
Sing, stand up straight
and tall.

Waiting by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
16" x 6" (unframed)
21" x 11" (framed)

Poem by Dan Stone
I  may have dropped
the ball
but I know when
I’ve seen the sun
and when
I’m being schooled.
I know even something
cool or shining can deceive.
I know sometimes
what I think I see
is not to be believed.
I trust my heightened
senses, listen
to the sounds
that only I can hear.
I won’t be caught
off guard. I choose
when to lower
my defenses.
I know how
to fetch the truth,
to stay, waiting
for what leads.
I say who I follow
I say why,
and rest assured,
true light never lies.
Wise hearts
won’t be fooled.

Earlier Works:

A Splash of Spring by Cher Odum
Gouache & Gold Leaf on Paper
6” x 6” (unframed)
13” x 13” (framed)
$248

Flowers For a Rainy Day by Cher Odum
Gouache & Gold Leaf on Paper
7.5” x 6” (unframed)
13.5” x 11.5” (framed)
$238

Pretty in Pink by Cher Odum
Gouache & Gold Leaf on Paper
6” x 6” (unframed)
13” x 13” (framed)
$248

Relish by Cher Odum
Gouache on Paper
25.5” x 17.5” (unframed)
29.5” x 23.5” (framed)
$1038

purchase

Fetch by Cher Odum
Gouache on Paper
18” x 22.5” (unframed)
23” x 28” (framed)
$968

purchase

Parent by Cher Odum
Gouache on Paper
11” x 8” (unframed)
19” x 15.5” (framed)
$448

purchase

Far From Lost by Cher Odum
Gouache on Paper
20.5 X 13.5" (Unframed)
30.5" X 22" (Framed)
$998

purchase

Referee by Cher Odum
Gouache on Paper
21” x 9.5” (unframed)
29.5” x 18” (framed)
$798

PURCHASE

This Harmony, Our Gift by Cher Odum
Gouache and Pen & Ink on Watercolor Paper
43.5" x 19.5" (framed)
35" x 11" (unframed)

purchase

Still Life by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
12.5” x 10” (unframed)
17” x 21” (framed)
$588

PURCHASE

Ease by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
32” x 24” (unframed)
43.5” x 35.5” (framed)
$2298

PURCHASE

Until Then Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
21” X 17" (framed)
17” X 12" (unframed)
$538

PURCHASE

Company by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
21” x 16” (unframed)
32” x 28” (framed)
$1288

PURCHASE

Loyalty by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
32" x 26" (framed)
$1248

PURCHASE

Fish Gotta Fly by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
11” x 8” (unframed)
17” x 14” (framed)
$358

PURCHASE

Just Chill by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
7" x 7" (unframed)
14" x 14.5" (framed)

purchase

Inside Out by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
30.5” X 30.5" (framed)
$1488

purchase

May the Wind Always be at your Back by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
13” x 9.5” (unframed)
25" x 19" (Framed)

purchase

Give me Time by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
17" x 14" (framed)

purchase

Genius in Disguise by Cher Odum
Gouache and Pen & Ink on Watercolor Paper
30” x 18.5” (unframed)
41" x 29" (framed)

purchase

Unity by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
16.5” X 16.5" (framed)
10” x 10" (unframed)
$388

PURCHASE

Maybe All that Matters
by Cher Odum
Gouache on Paper
29" x 21" (unframed)
43.5" x 35.5" (framed)
$2298

PURCHASE

Excuse Me by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
22" x 16.5" (unframed)
33" x 27" (framed)

purchase

AVAILABLE UNFRAMED (Please email for more information)

Holding Back by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
32" x 24" (unframed)

A Lady and Her Lily by Cher Odum
Gouache and Pen & Ink on Watercolor Paper
20.5" x 19.5" (unframed)

Fragile by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
22.5" x 18" (unframed)

My Life to Make by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
33.5" x 11.5" (unframed)

Life is Our Invention by Cher Odum
Gouache on Watercolor Paper
22" x 18" (unframed)