Artist Bio
Artist Statement
Each day in the studio begins with anticipation...papers in hand, paint nearby, and an idea waiting to find its voice. My process is intuitive and exploratory, often guided by emotion and the unexpected interplay of color, texture, and form.
I’m drawn to the beauty of transformation...turning simple or discarded materials into something that feels alive and meaningful. There’s a quiet poetry in giving new life to what’s been overlooked, and that transformation mirrors the creative journey itself.
Art, for me, is an act of discovery and connection. Whether I’m immersed in the solitude of painting or sharing the process with students, I’m continually inspired by the expressive possibilities of the work...always evolving, always full of wonder.
Denise Cerro’s creative journey spans parallel careers in visual presentation and decorative arts, including years as a faux finish and mural artist. Her mural work naturally evolved into painting on canvas, where her keen eye for composition and color led her toward mixed media and assemblage art. Originally self-taught, Denise expanded her practice through extensive study, participating in numerous classes and workshops across both representational and abstract painting.
Her work is distinguished by vibrant, expressive color and a playful yet sophisticated fusion of materials. Blending the fantastical with the familiar, Denise invites viewers into imaginative spaces where texture, depth, and emotion converge. Through her mixed media approach, she transforms everyday materials into layered visual stories rich with character and curiosity.
Working from her Southern California studio, Denise is also a founding member of F1VEart Studio and Gallery, located in the Arts District at Liberty Station in San Diego.
Exhibits and Awards
2025
Woodward Contemporary • Fractured Forms
Escondido Arts Partnership • Beyond Boundaries
San Diego Watercolor Society • Reflections In Play
Woodward Contemporary • Coco Butter and Cash • 2 pieces
San Diego Fair Fine Art • 3 pieces
San Diego Watercolor Society • 45th International Show
Woodward Contemporary • Bridges
Gallery 21 • 2Artists 2Mediums • Balboa Park San Diego
Raven Nest Gallery • Feathers, Fangs And Fur
Escondido Arts Partnership • Floral
San Diego Watercolor Society • Vibrations
Art Fluent • Impermanence
Art Fluent • Into The Light
Escondido Arts Partnership • Dames On Grand
Featured Artist • F1VEart Gallery
2024
Pennies From Heaven • F1VEart Gallery
Dames On Grand • Escondido Art Partnership
Summation • Escondido Ar Partnership
San Diego Water Color Society 44th International Show
Received Signature Artist Designation with SDWS
Stand • Art Fluent
Colors Of Home • Gallery21Solo Show • Balboa Park San Diego
San Diego County Fair Fine Art • Two Awards
Escondido Arts Partnership • Summation Show
San Diego Watercolor Society • Between The Lines
Blue • O'Hanlon Center For The Arts
2023
Where The Fun Is • SDWS
Busy Mind • SDWS San Diego Water Color Society 43rd International Show
Still • Art Fluent
CONtext • Art Fluent
She • Art Fluent
Fakelore, Personal Myths Narratives • Bonita Museum • Peoples Choice Award
2022
Escondido Municipal Art Gallery • Primarily Yellow
Seeing Red • Art Fluent
Curators Choice • Art Fluent
SDWS San Diego Water Color Society • I've Got Rhythm
Renewal • OMA Artist Alliance • Front Porch Gallery
Figures • Art Fluent
Escondido Arts Partnership • True Colors • Nicholas Wilton Juror
2021
Escondido Arts Partnership • Summation
Collage Artist Of America • Picking Up The Pieces • International Juried Exhibit
Into The Wild • Art Fluent
All About Women • Marin Society Of Artists
Women Artists Making Their Mark • O'Hanlon Center For The Arts • Online Gallery
Hype Show • Studio Door • San Diego
Oceanside Museum Of Art • Art On the Terrace Show
conTEXT• Art Fluent
Femme • Art Fluent
Spring Juried Show • Sylvia White Galley • Agoura Hills CA
Women In Art • Las Laguna Gallery * Laguna CA
Stretched Imagination • Juror Chi Essary • Oceanside Museum Of Art
2020
San Diego Watercolor Society International Show • Juror Micheal Reardon • Jordon Ressler Award
Neutral & Natural • Juror Pasha Turley
Many Faces Of Red • Juror Lisa Bebi • Ashton Gallery
Tapping • Student Teacher show with Marla English
Centered On The Center • Huntington Beach Art Center
2019
New Beginnings • Oceanside Museum Of Art
Art Of Love • Ashton Gallery
National Crow Show • Juror Chris Redfern / Executive Director of the San Diego Audubon Society • The Studio Door San Diego
Ivory Dreams • Jurors Peter & Ann Pfau / Art Collectors • Honorable Mention Award
Double Trouble • Juror Elizabeth Cumming / Art Curator • Best In Show
San Diego Fair Fine Art • Two Honorable Mentions
75 & Sunny • Ashton Gallery
Growing Wild • Oceanside Museum Of Art Art Alliance • Jurors Kathi McCord & Peter Tobias • San Diego Botanical Gardens
True Blue • Juror Liz Jardin • Ashton Gallery
All Mixed Up• Jurors Lois Draper & Cliff MacRenolds
2018
Piece By Piece / Assemblage Art • Solo Exhibit • Encinitas Program For The Arts
Assemblage Art / Mixed Media Art • Two Honorable Mentions • San Diego County Fair Fine Art Show
Creamsicle • Jurors Tina & Craig Abernethy / Art Collectors • First Place Award • Ashton Gallery
Going Green • Juror Brenda York / Artist • Ashton Gallery
Papered • Juror Kate Ashton /Jurors Choice Award • Ashton Gallery
Home & Harvest •Jurors Mary & Ken Hotelling / Art Collectors • Honorable Mention • Ashton Gallery
Blackout National Show • Juror Daniel Foster / 30 year career in arts & museum • Ashton Gallery