As part of the VibeWell Ventura County project, we are excited to collaborate with Ventura County artists whose work highlights the connection between creative expression and mental well-being. This Artist-Influencer program engages five Ventura County artists to share authentic stories about how the arts can reduce stigma, inspire healing, and foster community awareness around mental health resources.
Our Artist Influencer for the Sound of Silence show, Cheyenne Proctor, is a Ventura County–based artist whose creative practice centers reflection, connection, and emotional honesty. Through painting and personal storytelling, Cheyenne explores how creativity can serve as both a grounding routine and a bridge to community. Her work invites viewers to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and recognize the role art can play in supporting mental well-being across all seasons of life.
Artist Statement by Cheyenne Proctor
The creative practice has always found its way into my life. From being in school doodling all
over my notebooks, staying up late in my room journaling and writing poems, to going to
college and studying painting, it’s always felt like a safe space to come back to myself and
reflect on the things going on in my head. Throughout traveling and exploring my career path I
realized the importance of setting aside time for this outlet. It’s become a way of capturing
memories, letting certain moments live on forever, and harder times have a home to live
outside of my head. I consider it a form of scrapbooking, as I translate different stories of my
life. There is nothing I know to be more true than the importance of having the creative practice
be a part of my routine as I go about all of the seasons. Sitting at the easel is where I go to
reflect while painting has been my greatest teacher on curiosity, and acceptance.
“The overarching theme that continues to reoccur in my head while exploring the “Sound of
Silence” theme is that there is so much power in community. There are people out there who
want to support you and lift each other up and encourage your passions.
We live in this culture where its kinda glamorized to just work yourself to the ground. It’s easy
for us to put the things we love on the back burner. Art is one of those things that always
allows us to come back to ourselves. I know for me there was a time when I wasn’t making art
anymore and now looking back on it, it was a time where I was really lost.
Painting has really become that tool that I utilize to have some alone time and sit with my
thoughts or my feelings for while. When I share them with other people I get to form these
beautiful connections where others might resonate with them as well. It’s a way to connect with
people and learn about other people and you never know where that could lead to.”
For more on Cheyenne and her art, visit her website cheyart.com or her Instagram @bychey_art
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VibeWell Ventura County is about combining the transformative power of arts and culture with mental health awareness to create stronger, more connected communities across Ventura County. It’s a collaboration between the County of Ventura Arts & Culture and Ventura County Behavioral Health, funded through the Mental Health Services Act. We’re working with the local creative community to raise awareness of mental health conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression—making resources more accessible and reducing stigma around seeking support.