Just had to touch on this past year a bit more before we get started with our second season of “Behind The Strokes”.... as I mentioned in this episode I am beyond grateful for the opportunities and experiences that came out of this past year. I am grateful to have kept my health, mentally and physically. Really just want to acknowledge that the past year was challenging and difficult for all of us but somehow we managed to stay focused on the silver lining. One thing to know about your favorite artist is that I come from resiliency...my city, my background, my upbringing...resilient. So with that being said, I am big on keeping faith and remaining hopeful for better days to come. Those better days are here!

If you’re turning into this episode I already know your first thoughts when you click the link which likely were......”where has she been?” “what’s been going on?” I just wanted to update this podcast so we can get things rolling for this new year of 2021 but of course I can’t do that until I finish what I started last year so if you tune in to this episode I kind of leave you guys off with a little bit of updates and things to come in the future for myself and my brands so make sure you tune into this episode before starting episodes from 2021...

This episode is a special sneak preview for my loyal and solid supporters who actually tune into my podcasts very frequently like; like soon as I drop a new episode, y’all already listened to it and played it already so shoutout to yall this is a little thank you to you! You get this news before anybody else like....I haven’t put it on any of my social media‘s yet not gonna do that until tomorrow, y’all are some loyal and solid supporters… But we knew that so, I hope you enjoy this podcast! Yeahhhh its a little longer than I expected but that’s because I couldn’t just tell you what it was without you know getting a lil excited and worked up I told a little bit more than I intended to, because I was really just going to tease you guys! Buttt, nope I gave you the full tea the whole 411 so I hope you guys enjoy this episode and I hope you are as excited for this new business endeavor as I am I can’t wait to share with you guys can’t wait for you to see 🌱🙏🏽

To all my supporters, what it is....wassup?! I pray that you are all staying safe and healthy during these times, as I sat here in quarantine planning all these business endeavors I realized I had got so “booked & busy” I hadn’t updated my podcast in 5-ever...all for good reason of course; I’d never just leave y’all hanging like that cause I know you’re just so curious to know the tea, the updates, the newness & trueness! Tune in to this episode and get the FULL spiel on just where I’ve been, what I’ve been up to and what’s to come for “Art By Char” and “Behind The Strokes” 📍🎨

To all my true supporters and followers...I want to thank you for all your love & support with my brand thus far. You have contributed more than you may know even if it was a simple “share”, “repost”, or “word of mouth” and I truly appreciate you for that. Art By Char is now a member on Patreon!

Don’t know what that is? Click the link and check it out! Become a Patron and get access to exclusive content, backstories, 1:1 video sessions w/ yours truly, downloadable content & much more!

The art program “Created to Create” was created by the artist Charnae with an overall mission of exposing youth in her hometown (Flint, Michigan) to the arts and the benefits of being directly involved. It is important to encourage these youth and motivate them to know and understand that they have so much to offer the world with their voices, creative expression, and perspectives. More importantly, “Created to Create” will teach youth involved that being a product of their environment and/or trauma is not who they have to be and it does not define who they are! This art program is going to break barriers and stigmas all while exposing participants to the art on various different realms. Being that a lot of our local schools cannot see the importance of arts being integrated in school curriculum and the direct positive impacts it has on youth; our youth are at a disadvantage as these programs are no longer offered in most public/low-income schools. Successful arts programs recognize that art is a vehicle that can be used to engage youth in activities that will increase their self-esteem. “Created to Create” will not only end each creating a public performance or exhibition in an effort to build participants’ self-esteem through public recognition. Effective youth arts programs such as, “Created to Create”, contain activities that are designed to reduce the influence of risk factors by providing opportunities for youth to learn new skills and by recognizing individual youth’s efforts in turn, promotes bonding, which helps youth cope with the negative influence of risks they may face.

Because let’s be real, it’s been a minute right? Latest Updates with “Art By Char”, NEW things POPPIN, what have I been up to....new projects, new gigs, NEW VIBES!! & an introduction to “The Creative Corner”, ‭‭Come catch these vibes at Flint's newest "Hidden gem".‬‬ Your favorite Local artist is bringing you. “The Creative Corner", MONTHLY PAINT CLASSES & private parties Featuring great energies!‬‬ ‭Come paint your very own themed canvas! You'll have the opportunity to paint along with the talented "Char" of "Art By Char" one of Flint's favorite local artists. Bringing you all forms of art from Non-contemporary, "Black" art, Non-traditional, Abstract etc. ‬

‭$45 VIP/Deluxe Admission tickets include a canvas, paint supplies, bubbly, light refreshments, and access to any vendors present.‬

‭ $35  General Admission tickets include a canvas, paint supplies, and access to any vendors present.‬

‭$10 "Kick It" tickets include entry as well as access to any vendors present.‬

Back again to bring you another episode full of behind the scenes and “Behind The Strokes” of “Art By Char”. This episode tells the backstory of “Art By Char” gallery and studio....how it came to an existing and what you can expect in the space so stay tuned!

So there’s this hidden gem in the city of Flint called “The Everything Flint Store”. At the store you can find local artists, entrepreneurs, vendors, businesses etc. all from the city...this episode talks about the opportunities that I’ve had with “Art By Char” thanks to “The Everything Flint Store”, gotta appreciate those who understand the need for entrepreneurship in my hometown & how it can help our community grow.

On this episode I open up a little bit about the last three years of creating and being an artist & what it has meant for me, I touch just a bit on opportunities that I’ve had over the past three years and how they have influenced my growth and perspectives thus far.