Artist Cj French featured | Okinawa Nature Photography

CJ French is an amazing artist inspired by nature. I have collaborated with her on three separate occasions. The first was the Turtle conservation art show, the second was Sharks and Rays fundraiser and the third was the Coral Conservation art show. All three events were held at the Okinawa Brewing Company and were a huge success! She is an amazing musician as well, her band performed at the fundraisers.

Purpose of the art shows: To educate others about these amazing creatures and the major threats they are facing. To donate some of the profits for the art pieces to conservation organizations.

CJ’s Story –

It all started when I was a toddler. I was holding an orange crayon after coloring on the wallpaper in my bedroom when my parents walked into the room and found me holding it behind my back. In fear of getting into trouble when they asked who had done it I blamed my sister. From that moment I was given a sketchbook to perform my works of art. This began my journey of pencil sketching.

When I was 14 I decided I wanted to use a much bigger canvas. My parents purchased paint and allowed me to paint my first mural on the fire escape in our house. I found happiness during the night hours with the floodlight beaming down into the fire escape as I painted onto my first concrete canvas. Additionally, I was enrolled in art classes during this time which further developed my love for various mediums as I started experimenting with watercolor and textures in my paintings.

In college, my artwork took a backburner to my studies but when time allowed, I would resort back to sketching on a pad with pencil-typically on my notes and outlines during classes. This continued into adulthood. Sometimes ideas for new pieces were born from sketches. I would fill my apartment with acrylic paintings but only viewed art as a hobby.

As an adult with two children (4 and 5 years old), my love for acrylic painting was reunited when the three of us worked on a piece together. I asked them to help me pick the colors they see when they open their eyes in the ocean. From there, we completed our first abstract ocean-inspired piece together which still hangs in our bedroom.

I painted pieces for the children’s bedrooms depending on what they were into at the time, whether it be princesses or transformers. All the while completing works of art on my surfboards as an outlet to continually use new mediums-this time it was Posca pens on surfboards and skateboards.

When we finally made the move to Okinawa and I was fortunate enough to meet fellow artists, I was encouraged to provide artwork for OISTs art show with profit donations benefiting marine conservation efforts. Finally, my passion for art collided with my love for the ocean! The first art show was to benefit sea turtle conservation. Much to my surprise, every piece submitted had sold. I was so thankful to find a community that was encouraging and inspiring! I have continued to donate a portion of every one of my pieces to marine conservation.

Most recently when I saw the call for artists to paint the OkiLife building, I immediately jumped at the opportunity to paint a mural again. Completing this mural with the artists I had met on the island was such a great experience. Although we all have different styles and techniques, the artwork came together organically. Currently, my artwork is on display at the OkiLife building. I will continue to explore the range of mediums, as evidenced by the displays. You can find everything ranging from a surfboard with Posca pens, a skateboard with acrylics, and a few acrylics on canvas pieces as well.

I had never imagined my artwork would be shared with the public but I am beyond grateful for the supportive community that inspires and encourages one another bound together by their love of artful expression.