How Charlie the Cheetah triggered the Inner Artist.
Using a cheetah for my logo has a personal meaning for me. From a young girl, I loved to draw and since horses were my passion, I drew a LOT of horses! So why not the expected horse logo? Read on! My mother is quite the artist and thankfully, I was encouraged. So many young talents are squashed before they get a chance to blossom. I believe many geniuses, of a variety of talents, are stifled before they get a real chance because of some stupid comment or a prejudiced attitude from a loved one or authority figure.
I feel I mostly stifled myself with chosing a physically difficult and all-encompassing career with horses. As much as I love it, it doesn't leave much room outside of it. Not healthy for mind or spirit! I managed to do some art work, writing and mostly photography to give my creative side a chance to breathe but I never got to really explore it. In 2011, I was invited to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Panther Ridge Conservation Center and encountered some incredible animals. We met a Jaguar cub, I saw clouded leopards for the first time and heard a cougar purr. And I took a lot of photos! One was a close up of “Charlie” the cheetah. I immediately thought: what a great painting that would make! The thought never left me and I eventually invested in some acrylic paints, brushes, a table easel and a canvas. Not knowing where to start, I put brush to canvas and went for it. I knew it was far from a masterpiece and wasn't what I envisioned but I hung it on my wall with pride. The painting bug had bitten me hard!
Charlie, the Cheetah, #1 2012
Then I met Ed who became my true life partner. I found I had the mental and financial support I had not experienced in my adult life. While I was settling into married life, my equestrian career hit a rocky road and with a bit of a shift, and meeting some fabulous people and Gypsy Vanner horses, I found a niche I really enjoyed. I also decided, for my own balance, I needed to practice my art.
I started painting, sitting on the floor. Then made a spot for myself in our guest room with a standing easel and storage drawers from my supplies. I took some on-line classes and played with techniques. I did small commissions from friends and family, painting pets, horses and even a house. I took a drawing class at our local art museum and fell in love with graphite all over again. I joined our local Artist Guild and suddenly, I was in an exhibition!
Our son moved out and I took over his room, turning it into a true studio. Lots of paints, my big easel and a drawing table!
At the 10 year anniversary of that 1st Cheetah painting, I tried it again. Still not a masterpiece and still not quite what I envisioned, I hung it on my wall with pride. I was getting closer to the artist I want to be!
Charlie, the Cheetah #2, 2022
Now it's been a couple more years and I've practiced even more. I’ve been included in a few more exhibitions. I'm starting to enter more shows and contests and I done a few more commissions. And I've learned a whole lot more! I plan on tackling Charlie the Cheetah’s reference photo again at the 20 year anniversary (or maybe a 15 year anniversary). I will continue to work hard with the plan that I can keep growing as an artist and become a known and respected wildlife artist.