Giving the gift of art
As an educator and therapeutic art life coach, Celeste Payne’s painting sessions are “like personal two- to three-hour mini-vacations.” Art is a gift and one of the most powerful tools of expressions
Celeste Payne uses art as a highway to life transformation, helping people relax, tap into their innate creativity, and learn new skills. She’s a Baton Rouge-based artist and educator who partners with local organizations for art events and offers virtual and in-person art classes.
Gearing up for the holiday season and the New Year, she talked with Jozef Syndicate about art, her business, and giving art to loved ones. “Receiving original art gives a person a part of the artist and the message the art conveys. That original piece holds a story that can be shared (again) by the person who receives it,” she said.
GIVING THE GIFT OF ART
“I give the gift or art by sharing art tips on my art pages, demos on YouTube and just spreading the message of creativity wherever I go. As an art educator, sharing this gift with students in public school classrooms has been extremely impactful to me as an artist and definitely to the students I share with.” She has taught art for more than 30 years in Ohio and Louisiana.
As an educator and therapeutic art life coach, Celeste Payne’s painting sessions are “like personal two- to three-hour mini-vacations,” she said. According to Life Coach Magazine, therapeutic art life coaching uses art to help clients tap into their subconscious minds and allow them to process their emotions, release stress and pain, and gain more clarity. “It is a stress reliever. It also is a way for me to make my mark in the earth by inviting people into the world of art whether they are learning from me, enjoying one of my pieces, or creating one of their own,” Payne explained.
Art is one of the most powerful tools of expression known to mankind. This is why she said art should be part of your gift giving. “It is a form of personal expression, allows artists to convey a message that connects with, provokes and even brings strength and healing to others.”
Payne named her business Chortazo, the Greek word for “full.” It matches her philosophy that art and creativity continuously fill lives with joy and fulfillment.
“Art allows artists to engage in a higher level of creative problem solving, skills that can be transferred to other areas of life. Art is a very relevant tool in selfcare,” Payne explained. “Studies show that creating art benefits humans on a physiological level, reducing stress and allow your mind to be clear.”
EXPLORING ART
To help more people explore and enjoy art, Payne is diversifying and expanding to teaching art virtually through Art School with Celeste on YouTube and Facebook. She prepares at-home-art kits and gift cards. She is also offering free coloring pages from her Black and Beautiful coloring book available on her website, and readers can used discount code DRUMREADER for special offers on the next virtual class.
In 2024, Chortazo Fine Art and Graphic Design Studio will host Let’s Paint: Sis Takes the City where participants will create a beautiful city scape. “We’ll provide step-by-step instructions, tips, and tricks to help you bring your painting to life. So, gather your art supplies, put on some relaxing music, and let’s paint together in the comfort of your own home.“
Payne said paint parties are another way for friends, families, and colleagues to get together and enjoy each other in a fun and engaging way. During the pandemic, paint parties exploded allowing people to get together in person in small groups or to connect with larger groups online.
She remembers her three-year-old self expressing an interest in art. “I knew early. And, throughout middle and high school, it became evident that art was my path.” After graduating from North Carolina Central University with a degree in computer science and art, Payne began training in traditional art forms including painting, drawing, and sculpture, then she learned commercial art, advertising and desktop publishing.
“I have gone on to not only designing books but writing my own and then becoming a contributing writer with many other projects,” she said. “Art has been a gateway for me to meet and work with so many incredible people and has allowed me even to do art presentations on the morning news.”
ONLINE: http://www.chortazoarts.com or schedule a consultation.
Art is a universal language shared by everyone.