What is your background pertaining to art and painting?
I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Fine Art degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1995. Before and after graduation I participated in several art groups in North Carolina and displayed work in multiple shows. After moving to Texas in 1996, I was active in area art groups was accepted into several juried shows and won a few awards. After the birth of my second child in 1998, I put my art career on hold until the fall of 2006 when my youngest child entered Kindergarten.
I entered three local juried shows in the Spring of 2006 and was accepted into all three with different artwork and won a award at the Richardson Civic Art Society 40th Annual Regional Juried Show. Since that Spring I have been accepted into other juried art exhibits as well as several local juried art festivals and sold artwork through my art booth at each.
What inspired you to do so?
Being an artist was not my dream when I was younger. In school, my strengths were math and science and I planned on being a mechanical engineer. Art was always a strong interest but I never considered it as a potential career. Circumstances intervened and I had my mid-life crisis at age 18 when I decided I did not want a “safe” career. It took another year for me to settle into pursuing an art degree but I’ve never regretted my decision to dedicate my life to the pursuit of art. I love challenges and art is a continual challenge to me. It is a love of learning and the thrill of the chase all rolled into one!
In what medium do you paint?
I currently paint mostly in acrylics. Due to the nature of the application process for art festivals, I needed to “specialize” in one type of medium and acrylics allow me to paint in the large format that I enjoy. I am also proficient in pastels, watercolors, and collage.
How long have you been teaching people to paint?
I have been teaching children since 1997. I’ve taught at The Classics in Plano and at WyliePreparatory Academy in Wylie. For the past two years I have been teaching from my home studio/classroom as well as doing demonstrations and classes offsite.
Do you teach people of all ages?
I’ve taught from preschool through adult and I currently have 31 students from age 5 to 12 in my classes. I teach adults as well and am currently working on a Winter/Spring schedule for adult workshops.
What inspired you to teach?
At first, practicality..I could get paid to do it! Now that I am earning money from my artwork, I teach because I love it! Nothing is as inspiring as being around creativity and creative people as much as possible. In my own artwork, I often have to narrow down my artistic concentrations to build a consistent body of work to display and sell. When I am teaching, I can do anything that I find interesting. This past summer, I did a mosaic project with each session of my summer camps. It was the first time I had ever worked with mosaics and it was awesome! I can truly say that I learn as much from teaching my students and I teach to them.
For those that don’t know, can you explain the commission process?
Most artists work from their own inspirations and ideas. Some artists are able to translate your ideas into a work of art. I currently offer Pet Portraits and Vacation Portraits in pastel or acrylic and People Portraits in pastel. When you commission artwork from me, we will get together to discuss size, medium, and a general mood of the artwork. During the consultation a contract is signed and a 50% deposit is paid.
I will either use your photographs or take my own reference photos to work from. I do not work from one individual photo but rather use them as a reference..a color here..an angle there. Then I do some preliminary sketches to get the right setting and, upon approval of the sketches, start the artwork. After the painting is complete, I’ll submit photos of the painting or have another meeting to view the painting. Minor changes can still be made at this point. When the final version is approved, the remaining 50% is paid and the collector takes home their artwork.
Do you have individual pieces for sale?
I have a large body of artwork for sale. I sell through local art festivals and exhibitions. Between shows I have all my artwork hanging in my home, which is also my studio and classroom. Studio visits are available by appointment.
Although I am in the middle of a large renovation of my website, many of my paintings can be viewed on my current website. The new site will be more up to date and feature pricing and framing information about each piece. I always welcome inquiries about current artwork or commissions.
What other projects have you been involved in?
With my artwork I have illustrated a children’s book written by a local WISD teacher. I have painted several wall murals, from a “graffiti-stained glass” teen Sunday School room to Mother Goose tales on a nursery wall. I have also designed numerous t-shirts for youth groups, scouts, and schools.
With my teaching I have led PTA Reflections’ programs, done projects with local moms’ groups, and spent two full days at a local preschool teaching about color mixing and doing painting projects with over 120 2-4 year olds. This past fall I set up a booth at my neighborhood’s fall festival and taught an art project to about 75 students in a couple of hours!
I’m always open to new possibilities and opportunities to explore my art. I truly believe God has given me both my art abilities and my love for teaching as a gift and I’m obligated to reach my highest potential with both.
Thank you, Charlotte for taking the time out to let our readers know more about you and your gift. Charlotte’s website is http://www.demolay.com .
The Frisco RoughRiders mascot, DEUCE, will make an appearance at the WBA baseball registration drive from 10:00 am - 11:00 am this Saturday, January 26th. Registration is open from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm so come register early and plan to hang around to shake DEUCE’s paw.
For those of you who missed it during your daily commute out of Wylie today, the AutoZone at McCreary and 544 is now open for business. It is so new, 
