Description
Charmayne Thevenet Bernhardt
Charmayne Thevenet Bernhardt is an artist/illustrator who works in a variety of mediums. Primarily a watercolorist, she enjoys painting landscapes, wildlife, and flowers. She both loves and respects this challenging medium, which delights and “terrifies” her at times. A summa cum laude graduate of the prestigious duCret School of Art, Charmayne began her exploration in fine art via oils. She feels she was blessed to have a strong foundation of drawing and painting from an “old masters” art school.
If you have ridden the chairlifts, skied or hiked around the Vail Valley, you have probably seen Charmayne’s illustrations of native wildlife and habitats. Her illustrations for “skicology” and interpretive signage were created for the U.S. Forest Service to teach people about mountain flora and fauna. She painted Trailhead signs for a number of US Forest Service Trails in the White River National Forest with flowers, animals, birds, riparian zones and habitat, “explaining” what hikers might see on their adventure.
Other clients include the Denver Broncos, The Colorado Rockies, Whispering River and Northlight greeting card companies, Vail Mountain Coffee Roaster and Crazy Mountain Brewery (labels), the Town of Vail, many private commissions and various illustrations for publication. Additionally she illustrates children’s and medical books (two books recently for Dr. Donald Corenman, spine surgeon).
She was chosen to illustrate the 2008 Vail Cooks for You cookbook and to paint the Vail 25th, 45th and 50th Anniversary posters. She donates art work to many worthy causes for purposes of reproduction, or silent auctions as a way of “giving back” part of what has been “given to her” by means of sharing her talents.
Presently, she has to wear an eye patch due to a bout with “shingles” in 2009, and although she is hopeful to regain her sight it hasn’t caused her to stop painting. “It will be easier to paint with two eyes again, but there are worse things in life and I’m grateful.”
Although her paintings are deeply personal, she invites the viewer to participate. “I want to bring people some tranquility, some fun, and to draw them to that place that lies deep within the heart.” She is thrilled when her paintings are “in a good home” where people will enjoy them as much as she has enjoyed creating them.
“Thank you for wanting to have my art as part of your life – may part of my heart – touch yours.”
