Charlie French, Intuitive Abstract Artist, Charlie French Fine Art
Charlie French is an intuitive abstract artist who embraces a blank canvas as an adventure in imaginative freedom. He has studied in London, Dallas and Santa Fe and works almost daily in his art studio, currently based in London.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
Instagram. I have received support and encouragement from artists from around the world. When I struggle with a painting problem, I have wonderful artists message me about what to do and how to fix it. I learn from other artists. They share tips. Ideas. New techniques. And that makes me feel good. I am a part of the artist community.I also connect with lots of buyers of my art. There are art collectors from all over the world.
And there are art buyers specifically in the Down syndrome community. I hear from expecting parents, new parents, parents of teens interested in art, and even grammas. My journey inspires them. They are hopeful. And that makes me feel good too!
I like to be successful, but mostly I love ART and being FREE. And it is very nice to make people happy. Art makes me happy. I like to share it!
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I am a 30-year-old artist currently living in London. One day about six years ago, I decided to become a professional artist. I had taken art classes for a while and painted almost daily at home. I decided to call it Art for Dollars. We moved to Dallas, where I had my first dedicated art studio. I created, I played, and I started selling my art. And I had some great collaborations.
During Covid, we moved to Santa Fe, NM, and then over to London, where my Dad is working.
Art is my passion, so I had to have a studio here. And I have been very busy. I have just finished my first solo art show in London, and my second one is next month. So, I have all the art ready. So, now I will just play with the paints and canvas. I will see what happens. It is an adventure, and I like that. Just letting go. That is my main area of interest: being free!
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
That I am a good artist, I can do it. It makes me happy, and it makes my art buyers happy.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Be free and open, be you.
Another artist encouraged me with these words when I was struggling with a new technique. It was a good reminder to let go. To not focus on something that was so hard, but instead to listen to me. Charlie. And paint. I paint from my imagination and my heart. Life can be hard. I want to focus on what makes me happy. Art lets me do that.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
Oh, I am inspired by old movies from my childhood like The Little Mermaid - which is my "in the fathoms below" series and The Hunchback of Notre Dame - which is my "morning in Paris" series. But I am also inspired by life experiences, what I see, where I go, and what I eat. And I so love shapes, especially squares. They make me so happy. I think everyone should have squares in their lives.
But the one thing that inspires me most and helps me grow is my imagination. It makes me laugh. It makes me smile. It cracks me up. And this is what I like to share with the world, how fun and funny my world can be. How happy. And when I am free and letting go and painting, I am sharing my happiness with the world. So, that is a very good thing to do.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
My art. My decision to become a professional artist. I did it. And it's good.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
Having a snack and sharing snacks with people in my studio, where I feel safe. We can draw, paint and eat. Or drink a smoothie. And then we collaborate. We work together. We create.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
I am a talented artist. Yes, I work hard. But I have talent. I am pretty good at composition and colour values. And, of course, my imagination is unique, and that helps too.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
That so many people would be happy with my art.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
My fellow artists. I love their paintings. I love their kindness to me. I love that they treat me as a professional. It is important to feel a part of a community. So many artists do that for me, and I admire them for that. And their ART!
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
My family and friends. My dog. Being together. Adventures to cool places. Hanging out and playing video games or board games. And, yes, eating. I love to eat with my family and friends. I don't talk much when I eat because I have some eating issues, but I love being together. So, I guess living my life with people I love that's a big interest of mine.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
It has been good. I have worked hard. I have had lots of sales and even collaborations. I have had to take breaks. Because I like to work hard, sometimes I need to relax. But because I love my job, I love to paint, taking a break isn't always easy. I am still learning how to manage that.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
My friend, Phil Sladek-Silberman, was one of my first artist mentors and still paints with me. He loves to be crazy and let go. So, we have an awesome time together in my studio. I have not mentored anyone but would like to. I do like to invite people to my studio to paint with me.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Work hard and practice. And find what inspires you and feel it. Then share that feeling.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Life is hard. So, find something that makes you happy, brings you joy and inspires you. That will help you get through the hard parts.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
Oh, yes. Be FREE!
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
Well, I like working with Michaels because they are kind and respectful. I don't work with companies unless they are like that. I recently collaborated with the Tate, and it couldn't have been better. They were so professional and supportive. I could be me, and that's all they asked.
My adult friends in the Down Syndrome community are also working with more and more brands. And that's usually very good. But, again, it's a reminder that diversity includes disability. But it needs to happen more often. There are a lot of people in the world with disabilities. We need to see them, support them and include them.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Success is letting me do what I want every day. And for me, that's being free and painting. True, I love having art shows and collaborations and relationships with my art collectors. Those do make me feel good too. But they don't happen every day. So, it's every day that's most important for me.