Today we’d like to introduce you to Charice Cooper.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Charice. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in a very musical and artistic family where creativity was encouraged and well nurtured. While I enjoyed dance and music, animals and art were what I loved most and I spent countless hours devoted to both.
Despite my upbringing, I was in the corporate world for many years while my art lay dormant. Life’s demands and distractions monopolized my time and it began to deplete my spirit. Exhaustion, frustration and a tremendous feeling of being unfulfilled began to mount. That is when I understood what it means to “be true to yourself”. When I gave my soul permission to do what it was designed to do, things started to change and my spirit began to revive.
Within a year, I left my full-time job at a financial institution to become a full-time artist. This marks the 18th year of my business.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I believe that living your authentic life is rarely a smooth road. The greatest rewards are found beyond our comfort zone and not everyone is willing to be uncomfortable. It involves facing your fears, risk, hard work, and tenacity, I knew I loved art and people but the business side was a horse of a different color and I struggled with it. When I realized just how very crucial the business side was to my survival as an artist, I nearly fell of my unicorn!
You mean, I couldn’t just paint all day?! Suffice it to say, I made more business blunders along the way than I care to think about. However, the lessons from The Business School of Hard Knocks, are not forgotten! Most importantly you learn that when you continue to get up and dust yourself off, you walk way stronger and wiser which in turn keeps you from falling as often!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Charice Cooper Fine Art – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I started my business painting murals in both business and residential. I then later transitioned to portraits and other custom commissions on canvas. While I have painted most every subject in those 18 years, left to my own devices I will gravitate back to painting animals. I work out of our home on our family farm and my animals and environment are a constant source of inspiration.
I specialize in both domestic animals and wildlife art. These paintings come from a very deep, emotional place for me as they are near and dear to my heart. The love I have for animals motivates me to find ways for people to connect with them through my work. Animals need as many ambassadors as possible to ensure their survival. It’s our responsibility to protect them since what we do with, and to, this planet has a direct effect on them.
What I am most proud of are the lives that I’ve had a positive impact on through my art. I can certainly tell you that my life has been equally enriched by knowing them. As Oprah says, “each life you touch becomes your legacy”.
I don’t know if there is anything necessarily that sets me apart from others. What I do know, however, is that I was born to paint. I will continue to channel my passion through my artist’s brush because it brings me tremendous joy and gratification knowing I can make a difference in the lives that are important to me. If my work resonates with someone, I guess they will set me apart. I just continue to focus on what I was created to do and let God handle the rest.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Aside from preparing for upcoming art fairs, art classes and competitions, my plans are to be more strategic in placing my art where it can have the most impact. In addition to already being in Texas galleries, I am currently researching galleries and venues in New Mexico, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming for starters. I had a recent request to give art lessons in New Mexico where they specialize in equine therapy and I look very forward to that.
I’m always exploring this never-ending art journey so change is the norm. I’ve done everything from traditional art to recent contemporary pieces using gold leaf and I’m having a blast! I don’t know what else may be waiting around the bend, but I’m excited to find out!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.charicecooper.com
- Email: www.charicecooper@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charice_art
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charicecooperfineart
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