"This was the first painting I finished after moving to London and setting up my art studio here. I had spent the month of May living and hiking in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I love to hike. I love to be outside. And I love the big, beautiful sky of New Mexico. One day I went for a hike south of Santa Fe to Galisteo Basin, where there are lots of trails. Good walking trails. There was a storm south of us, but the sky was clear everywhere else, so we started our hike. But after a short time, the wind started to get strong. My hat kept blowing off, even with my strap! And when we looked up in the sky, all the dark, grey clouds were coming together above us. We had to run back to the car! The dust was blowing everywhere! We heard thunder booming. and then big drops of water started to fall right as we reached the car. We got in and we were safe. And we laughed. And laughed. It was a wonderful hike in the desert. I will always remember it!!! This painting has a lot of energy. I set up my composition and used lots of foam brushes, flat and on their sides to make lines. I also added thick, white texture to remind me of the clouds getting ready to spill all those rain drops. It was a lot of fun painting this one - just like my hike!!!"
- Charlie French
Prints are produced on demand on stretched canvas, acrylic plexi, or giclee fine art paper in a variety of sizes here in the United States.
Contact ArtLifting for larger size options.
Boulder, CO
“Yes, I have Down syndrome but first I want you to see me: Charlie French. Then I want you to see my ART!”
Abstract artist Charlie French works in his art studio almost daily, his commitment to his craft evident when viewing his beautiful, calming paintings. Born in NY, Charlie has lived both in the US and abroad, currently residing in Boulder, CO. While living and studying in London, a teacher noticed Charlie’s innate understanding of color theory and composition and hence encouraged Charlie and his parents to support and nurture his artistic passion.
Charlie creates impressive abstract works, tapping into his imagination and finding delight in the process as well as the finished product. He is a prolific painter, and when asked about his process responds: "I like colors and shapes. Sometimes I do (paint) a lot. Sometimes not. I don’t think about it. I have fun.” This is the key to Charlie’s process in that painting is fundamentally and powerfully a positive and therapeutic experience. Studio time is most exciting, pushing boundaries and filled with exploration and energy, and then relaxing into a rhythm of contented, peaceful creation. Charlie’s abstract paintings mirror the joy of his imagination and share with the world a piece of his happiness. All of which provides Charlie with a meaningful, purposeful life.
When Charlie is not in his studio with his dog, Percy, he enjoys hanging out with friends and family. One of his dream projects is to gather his artist friends together in the studio for a collaborative painting piece, and then celebrate with hamburgers, fries, and chocolate almond milk.
ArtLifting champions artists impacted by disabilities and housing insecurity by connecting their art with socially-conscious customers . Learn more here.
