Daily Inspiration: Meet Charla Barnish

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charla Barnish.

Hi Charla, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
It’s hard for me to say when I fell in love with art. I have always used art as my healing method, even as a child. I grew up in Casper, Wyoming, where there wasn’t much of an art scene; I loved all of my art classes in school, but I always wanted more. When I was right out of high school, I worked at the local museum, where I discovered that art was my future. The museum was small, and I was only in a visitor services position, but I got to help with the big projects and meet many well-established artists. Being there was a massive inspiration for me and the beginning of my journey. I was in school at the local college but decided to follow my heart and move to Denver instead. I have spent years going through many phases of medium and method. I have worked with ink, watercolor, acrylic, and digital media. I have done abstract, realism, collage. It has always been a struggle to find my unique “style.” I knew I always wanted to be a full-time artist, but I could never see through the fog clearly to realize what that job would be. During the last year, during COVID-19 and some tough times, I decided to go back to school. It is a big step to achieving my goals, and I am starting to follow my dreams; I am finally feeling inspired to do what I love.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
There are many complexities in art; it’s hard not to compare yourself to other artists and keep being creative even when it’s hard. I have had many bumps in my road. The most defining was when I was nine years old, I lost my mother to cancer. Losing my mother at a young age is something that I will always carry with me and influence everything I do, especially my art. For many years I did not grieve my mother, the pain was there, but I was too young to know how to process those feelings. This last year I have addressed this in therapy and have worked very hard to work on my depression and anxiety, which started due to the unprocessed trauma. While last year I was making strides in the grief of my mother, this year has been a bit more challenging. In December, my father passed away, which brought more pain and more difficulties. My Dad was so proud of me for going back to school, all the artwork I showed him he had to have. I have to continue on my dreams for both of my parents. My art has always been a remedy for me, and it has helped me come back to myself time and time again.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work seems to be ever-changing. I love to create in any way I can. I have always loved to paint; I have done many minimalist geometric paintings. I love to create animal and floral illustrations and anything based in nature. I am well-versed in color theory and love to make my artwork pleasing to the onlooker by using calming tones. These are always things that I come back to, things that have brought me happiness, and hope brings other people joy as well. I have shown my work at many coffee shops and cafes, but recently I exhibited in a museum, the same museum I used to work at when I got out of high school. It was one of my proudest moments because it felt as if things had come full circle for me. I am working on my BFA in Illustration, and it has been the most eye-opening in my path to an artistic career. I feel myself finding myself as an artist now and achieving what makes my art unique and recognizable.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
One of the biggest things I have learned this year is to just go for it. For the longest time, I felt like school was pointless, too expensive, having a career, especially in art, was too big of a goal, I would never be brave enough to achieve my desires. But honestly, go for it. We only have one shot at this life, so what if you fail, so what if it doesn’t turn out the way you wanted it to, or you decided you want to do something else. You will always be better off for having the experience. So sign up for that class, apply for that job, do whatever your heart is pointing you to. Don’t be afraid to go after your dreams.

Contact Info:

• Email: charlaann@live.com
• Website: charlaann.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charla.ann/