What I Learned from Charlie French

Friday was no ordinary studio day.

I had the distinct pleasure of painting alongside Charlie French, a 33-year-old professional painter whose vibrant spirit and bold strokes have garnered him well-deserved, worldwide recognition.

What I anticipated as a day of mixing colors and making marks, turned into an invaluable masterclass, not in technique, but in the very essence of artistic creation.

Charlie, who also has Down syndrome, approached his work with infectious fearlessness. No hesitant hovering, no self-doubt.

He simply began. With confidence.

My own creative process, and maybe yours too, often involves a fair bit of planning. I think about the colors, the marks, the story I want to tell.

But watching Charlie was witnessing a beautiful liberation.

This fearless approach was the first, and perhaps most heartwarming, lesson Charlie shared. He steps up to the canvas not to conquer a challenge, but to embrace a space of joyful exploration.

If a stroke wasn't quite right, he didn't fret over a "mistake." He'd simply paint over it, weave it in, or move on. It was a beautiful reminder to let go of perfectionism and embrace the natural flow of creating.

Beverly Todd

B. Todd. Arts | Santa Fe Artist Getaway

P.S. Want to see Charlie's vibrant work and get a daily dose of artistic joy? Follow his inspiring journey over on Instagram at Charlie French Fine Art.