Milkshaker is a scene of a woman enjoying one of my soda fountain favorites. This is the third painting in my “Cherry” polyptych series.
The photoshoot for this project was an experience filled with laughter, seriousness, and very positive energy for Michele Sorenson, the photographer and VWS member, model and yoga friend, Elizabeth (yeah a one-word titled model....you know that is a sign that you got a good model).
The hourlong photo session was filled with lots of laughs. The biggest challenge was keeping Elizabeth from giggling, ice cream headaches and melting whip cream. I am proud how I captured her glint and twinkle.
Artist Statement
I am a watercolor artist who creates stimulating ways of looking at culture’s faces, places, and spaces. I paint because I love the way the medium appears and mixes, allowing an introvert to scream with the joys of color. Painting with water has been a meditative release for a controlling perfectionist and brain cancer survivor because one never has total command. It is like juggling jellyfish. When the viewer says “that is different,” or “that is unique,” I feel successful.
Bio
Charlie Frances, born in ’69, grew up on the coastlines of Portsmouth, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach, VA. He discovered watercolor painting later in life after selling his Geographic Information Systems firm. In 2013, Charlie was encouraged by a friend to try painting as he was going through cancer treatments. It turned out to be the perfect therapeutic distraction from chemo and radiation. Painting continues to be part of his spiritual, physical, and mental healing.
He is primarily a self-taught watercolor artist who has been fortunate enough to have won numerous awards in regional competitions. His work is in private collections in the U.S and Europe.
Charlie is a member of the Chesapeake Bay Watercolor Society, Southside Artists Association, and Suffolk Art League.
Charlie holds two degrees in geography: B.S., Old Dominion University (1991) and M.A., Kansas State University (1994). He still does not know all of the state capitals. Charlie’s studio is in Virginia Beach. When not there, you may find him by the saltwater or on his yoga mat trying to keep balance.