Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Chartièr.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cynthia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was fortunate to have parents who encouraged me to develop my artistic abilities at a very early age. They sent me to study with Sister Vincent de Paul, an extraordinary artist and wonderful teacher who inspired me to always do my best work and encouraged me to explore uncharted territories anytime I discovered something new I was curious about.
My first job after art school was working at the Royal Poinciana Playhouse in Palm Beach as their scenic artist and later at the Burt Reynolds Dinner Theatre. It was a dream job that paid no money working from 60 to 80 hours every week, but I learned how to paint 40 ft. drops in trompe l’oeil and other styles by working with some of the best seasoned professional artists/designers from NYC. Opening night was always a treat and very exciting! There were so many interesting and colorful people. I especially loved talking to the actors. I discovered that they take everything in life to the edge and beyond.
Then after traveling around the country I settled in Dallas hoping to get my professional painting career on its way. I started by exhibiting and selling my own work and soon discovered that art galleries do it so much better. Now I have galleries representing me and selling my work across the country. I paint every day to supply them with fresh work and for my annual show.
I look forward to Sundays when I get to work with my Color & Light artists. I give regular private lessons to artists that are more serious about their direction and host Corporate Team Building Events and Painting Parties.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been a lot of contrasting challenges and obstacles which I consider a positive because it defines what you want more clearly.
Marketing is one of my greatest challenges. Treating art as a business is something I’d like to be a lot better at. The creative comes natural to me. The balance of the two is always my objective.
Please tell us about ARTClassDallas, Color & Light Painting Workshop.
ARTClassDallas is designed to give people a chance to explore their dreams and develop their creative abilities into the talents they’ve always wished they’ve had. The truth is everyone has creative talent! Inspired ideas just need freedom and direction to develop.
From ARTClassDallas, COLOR & LIGHT PAINTING WORKSHOP was launched July 1, 2009 as an ART project for SELF-DISCOVERY which is open to beginners and experienced artists to explore, discover and sharpen self-awareness while developing painting skills and techniques without limitation. The objective is for each artist to create his/her own voice as they develop their original style and process.
I do PRIVATE LESSONS on a regular basis for my more serious artists.
I have hosted CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING EVENTS for Heineken, Frito Lay, Fed Ex, Celanese, and Gibson-Dunn Law Firms. THE AMAZING RACE was one of the themes we did. It was really exciting! This experience is designed as an ice breaker which elevates the levels of enthusiasm and makes them skyrocket as the creative intuition and higher self-take over. The next step is to watch as the stress melt away.
PAINTING PARTIES are also available for special events.
DATE NITE is available for couples who wish to celebrate a special event. It starts with a complimentary bottle of wine and a special dessert to share while enjoying the spectacular rooftop view of the Dallas skyline. Then we go down to the studio and create a painting to remember it all by.
Art Class Dallas is my business that I conduct every Sunday. I paint at Chartier Studios everyday.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
When I was twelve we lived next door to a family that had a thoroughbred race horse and a shetland pony. Every day after school I’d walk through the woods that divided our property to the Killorans house where I was allowed to ride Lucky the shetland pony if I could catch him and brush him down afterwards. Kingstown was their thoroughbred that they rescued at a horserace before he was about to be shot for having a broken leg. Kingstown was 18.3 hands high. He was my favorite baby. They let me ride him only when I was supervised. I needed a leg up and stairs to get on his back he was so tall. When I rode him, he was so smooth and gentle I didn’t even have to hold on. It was like riding in the clouds with my best friend. It made my heart so happy to this day!
Pricing:
- Color & Light Painting Workshop (Consecutive) 4 weeks- $175 (includes initial $35 art supply/registration fee)
- Color & Light Painting Workshop (Nonconsecutive) 4 weeks- $215 (includes initial $35 art supply/registration fee)
- Private Lessons- $125 per hour
- Corporate Team Building Events- $55 per person
- Painting Parties- $45 per person
- Date Nite- $99 per couple for one night
Contact Info:
- Address: Southside on Lamar- 1409 S. Lamar St.
Studio 106/Artist Quarter
Dallas, TX 75215 - Website: www.artclassdallas.com and www.cynthiachartier.com
- Phone: 214-477-1794
- Email: cynthiachartier@gmail.com
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
