The ability of any artist to express him- or herself in ways that produce art people find interesting and will pay good money for is itself an accomplishment. But whereas a great many artists become tied to their success through a particular medium or approach, from which they might never escape and forever be defined, Charlie’s skill and vision open himself to others and their techniques: being unbound from fear of making mistakes French pushes people forward to try new things as many collaborators and the lessons he posts on painting will attest. These gifts set Charlie apart, just as they bring together those around him. These gifts have also brought market acceptance and success.
Market
Acceptance: Sales, Commissions, Inspiration
There have been significant private sales through art galleries and online through Charlie’s own website. But there have also been major commissions. The Texas Rangers baseball team commissioned a tryptic that now hangs in the Founders Club of their new stadium, Globe Life Field. Michaels, the paint and hobby store chain, shot a video and engaged Charlie to do a workshop. Bain Capital and other companies have purchased work. And Crayola – the maker of Crayola crayons – is collaborating with Charlie on a social media video highlighting his "Words & Phrases" paintings.
French emphasizes he is not, however, an artist for hire – someone who produces work based on specific instructions from a buyer. He is, instead, an “artist that can create what I create.” From his portfolio, buyers can see his past work and agree on a color palette and size for their commission. But after that, it is all Charlie: and, if buyers don’t like what they see, they don’t have to buy it. He is his own person, who knows himself and his art. It is an approach that pays well: French’s business continues to grow, with pieces often priced at more than five figures.
And as Charlie’s business has grown, so too has his platform – which he uses to advocate for artists with disabilities. French recently spoke to the United Nations in Geneva about the need for inclusion:
Inclusion means I’m a valued part of the community. That means, having a voice in my relationships: sharing, listening, learning, and growing. As a professional artist, inclusion means being a valued member of the Global Arts Community.
French continues …
I prefer to be with everyone. I love collaborating with other artists. All kinds of artists! So, there is room for improvement in the global arts community. Disabled and non-disabled artists can and should work together, side-by-side. We can all learn from each another. So, it is my hope that disabled and non-disabled artists will have greater opportunities to work together as one Global Arts Community. And then, we can and will create amazing new art for the world.
The point of the matter is: Charlie’s work, profession, and vocation stand on their own. They are beautiful, thoughtful, and well-executed. But they are also the vehicle for him to engage, inspire, and give back to his fellow artists and his ever-expanding community.
What more needs to be said?
What More Needs to be Said?
What needs to be said is Charlie has Down Syndrome. Specifically, he has Acute Regression Disorder, which was diagnosed at the age of 16. This syndrome causes “a sudden, and often unexplained, reduction in language skills, functional living skills, and physical movement.” It also causes a great deal of pain. Working through that pain and continuing deterioration is what sparked Charlie to be an artist. But it did not define him as one. Charlie did that himself.
Truly he did.
Charlie was always interested in art: it was a
64