Life & Work with Champagne Reid of Parkville

Today we’d like to introduce you to Champagne Reid.

Hi Champagne, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
Back in 8th grade, I was introduced to Georgia O’Keeffe and my love affair with art was born. I was really lucky over the years to have had amazing art teachers broaden my artistic horizon, techniques, and appreciation for art. But Life happens, I had my son and my passion for art took a backseat for the time being.

It was always there though, just waiting for me to come back to it. I had some commissions over the years as my son, and skills grew. But in 2015, my world turned upside down, it was just me and my son now, and all I could think about was what I was going to do with myself. The only thing that came to mind was my art and in 2016 I re-dedicated myself to turn my art into a business. With the help and encouragement of my family and friends, I created a website then branched out into the art world in KC. Then in 2017, I visited my family in Hawaii for our reunion and I was so inspired by the beach, the ocean, and how at peace I felt being there.

I took my newly found inspiration back home with me and started painting – spreading aloha with paintings, prints, and more. I eventually branched out into hand-painted bags, pillows, commissions, and positivity-inspired apparel. All artwork is available on my website, https://www.champagnereid.com, as well as local art shows around KC.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road, but I didn’t have giant boulders in my way either. I say that because the challenges I faced were more like rocks in the road: necessary for my development. My biggest struggles were mental roadblocks. Overcoming fears of failure, what others would think of me, that my art wasn’t good enough because I didn’t go to art school, that I was too much of an introvert.

I was able to overcome these struggles first by joining the Badass Women Entrepreneurs of Kansas City Facebook group and meeting other women just like me who had the same struggles as I did. This group made it easier for me to be myself, to speak up, to share my ideas, ask for help and the sheer camaraderie made me feel comfortable enough in myself to join other specialty groups specifically for artists like me. Once I was able to overcome those mental roadblocks everything else became figure-out-able.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a self-taught acrylic painter specializing in beautiful, original beach paintings that evoke a sense of calm, peace, and relaxation as though you were on a real Hawaiian beach. I’m most proud of my current painting collection called Shave Ice. Summer is roaring and what do you want on a hot summer day?! Some shave ice! And even though you can’t eat a painting, when you look at it, you can’t help but remember the fun memories made on hot summer days with shave ice.

What sets me apart from others is that I use Feng Shui elements in my artwork to help make your home a more restorative and inviting place to be. I’m also part Hawaiian and try to bring that aloha feeling where ever I go.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Even though more people are working from home and life might feel chaotic, it’s important to remember the good times. Surrounding yourself with images that remind you of the first time you saw the ocean, running around with sand stuck to your toes, smelling the salty air, the wind blowing on your face, and listening to the crashing waves will help restore you to a more peaceful state. Allow your home to be your sanctuary with artwork that can help you relax and I would love to help you with that.

Pricing:

• Prints $24
• Pillows $30
• 11″x14″ $154
• 16″x20″ $320
• 18″x24″ $432

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.champagnereid.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/champagne.reid
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/champagne.reid
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/champagnereid

Image Credits
Jayde Morningstar