Artist Spotlight: Chelle Perea, The Self-Taught Chalk Wonder

Artist Spotlight: Chelle Perea, The Self-Taught Chalk Wonder

Making artsy pieces is something that came naturally to this week's Spotlight Artist, Chelle Perea, from the moment she was old enough to use a needle and thread. Yet she is also a big believer in the old saying, "Practice makes perfect." Here's your chance to meet Chelle and be inspired to keep creating art until you become the best artist you can be.  

Can you tell us 3 interesting facts about yourself?

chelle perea

  1. My first job was at a bead shop in Laguna Beach, CA at the age of 15. I could sort beads all day, make jewelry, and then walk to the beach at lunch. It was awesome!
  2. I have a bachelor's degree in English, which took me a really long time to get since I worked full-time while attending college at night. It was exhausting!
  3. I have two Yorkies: Jake Ryan and Bellatrix. Yes, I named my pups after a character from a John Hughes film, and of course, the witch from Harry Potter.

Can you tell us more about how you became the artist you are today?

I have always loved to create, especially from books. When I was 12, I taught myself how to crochet from my mother's McCall's Needlework Treasury Book. When I started a family, I stayed home and one day while coloring with them, I took it a step further. I started challenging myself and learning everything I could about lettering, watercolors, chalk art, etc. I haven't stopped learning since then, and in fact, I love sharing what I have learned to make the journey a little easier for others.

chelle perea

How did you start doing chalkboard art? What kind of chalkboard art do you specialize in? 

Working with chalk just became an extension of the learning process for me. I love hand lettering, so usually, my chalk art is based on a word or quote. I love to try different ideas with different mediums.

Apart from liquid chalk markers, what media do you use in making art?

I really enjoy watercolors, markers, and ink for calligraphy.

What inspired you to make what you did with @versachalk?

VersaChalk has a wonderful product, and I love experimenting with how I can use the liquid markers in different ways.

What makes good art? How long did it take for you to get “good” at it?

In my opinion, what makes good art is how it makes you feel. I would say that the more I practice, the better I get. The idea of what makes "Good Art" is kind of subjective. I try to just share and inspire and encourage those who are also on an art journey. It's rewarding to see improvement in myself because I practice every single day, even if only for 5 minutes, and I can see how I have developed my own style over the last 2 years.

Words of advice for up-and-coming artists?

Practice makes progress. Try not to let doubt creep in when you see someone's work that has a different journey than you. They may have been practicing for 10 years or more! Just enjoy creating, and remember how it makes you feel.