My Artistic Journey
My Artistic Journey
First of all – thank you for coming to this space, as I intend on utilizing this platform to help others connect and identify with me and my work on a deeper level. In order for you to better connect with me, I figured I should explain how I got to where I am today.
Art is my true passion in life; without it, my life is incomplete. I don’t recall a specific point in time when I began to create art – it has always just been a part of me. One of my earliest memories was when I was around 3 years old: my mom volunteered at our local museum where she would bring me after school. I could sit for hours undisturbed, losing track of time drawing anything and everything I saw. Not long afterwards, my parents thankfully enrolled me in afterschool art classes.
I didn’t really conceive the notion that art could be more than just a hobby until I entered high school. I was a pretty unathletic teenager and although I wanted to be sporty, being on a varsity team just wasn’t cut out for me. At this point, I had been taking night classes for several years under a remarkable artist, Cynthia Day-Neely, and I simply just fell in love with painting.
As I stepped into her comforting and consoling studio every Wednesday and Thursday night, I was overcome with excitement and contentment. I forgot about all my troubles and stressful term papers, and I would just paint. Mrs. Neely was and still is one of the most influential people that I have ever encountered. While watching her steady hand paint or listening to her sage advice (that still resonates with me to this day), she gave me assurance and confidence that was so uplifting during those awkward, teenage years.
Me in high school at my first art show.
Shortly before college, I was torn between following my grandfather’s footsteps in pursuing medicine, or following my heart, which was art. He was someone that always had sound advice and before starting my Freshman year at The University of Texas at Austin, he sat me down and said, “CoCo, you were given a gift in art, and you need to utilize that gift.” So, I changed my entire career path and sought after my BFA in Fine Arts with a focus in painting and drawing.
In a college critique with one of my favorite professors, John Yancey.
During my time at UT, I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Italy for a summer. This changed my outlook on life and art. I was so captivated by the beauty, culture, and architecture that I really strived to go ‘all-in’ on art during my two remaining years of college. I spent countless hours and long nights in the studio. I picked every professor’s brain and studied so many different techniques. By my senior year, I applied for a grant to visit UT alumnae that were artists or curators residing in New York. Although the trip in itself was amazing, it left me feeling defeated and insecure of how to become a successful artist. The people I met with were absolutely incredible and seemed so beyond my level, that I lost all confidence in myself.
While I had many phenomenal teachers at UT that taught me techniques that are still being utilized, I was unsure of how to turn my passion of art into a business. I decided in my last year of college that it was essential for me to learn more about the business world; so, I took a completely different route and accepted a position at a large tech company here in Austin. I continually painted commissions and made time to spend in front of my easel; however, my job slowly chipped away at my creative energy as I continually climbed the corporate ladder. After 4.5 years at this company and many long conversations with my now husband, I decided that I had to pursue my dream of being a full-time artist. We put together a business model and converted our spare bedroom into a studio, and I quit.
I have been painting full-time since September of 2018, and I have loved every waking moment of it. Wearing the many hats and juggling the business side of things can most definitely be a struggle, but nonetheless, following my passion has been so rewarding. My mindset has shifted while pursuing this dream full-time, and I know that creating is my purpose.
My goal is to one day be like Mrs. Neely. I dream of having a studio space to teach others, as well as a little room to showcase all of our artwork. Starting this career wasn’t easy, but with the support from my husband, Will, my family, and all of you, I wake up every day so excited and eager to continue pursuing my dreams!
If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out or share below! Want to know what I’m up to on the every day? Follow along on Instagram at @cocozentner_art or on my Pinterest page.
All the best,
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To see more about what inspires CoCo, check-out her Instagram page at @cocozentner_art!
