Chenell Turner

As a self-taught artist, how has your independent learning shaped your artistic voice compared to formal training?

The beauty of my independent learning, is that I have the ability to freely create with my heart. I don’t find myself having a hard time navigating the additions or corrections that my paintings need, because I don’t look at them from a formal standpoint. My artwork is meant to be free and sometimes formality constricts freedom.

Your works combine vibrant colors with deeply emotional themes. How do you balance joy, pain, and introspection within a single piece?

I focus on whatever feeing is bigger in the moment that I start a piece. If I am feeling more joy, the colors are brighter and bolder and vice versa, the more pain I feel in the moment, the colors are darker. This allows me to understand narrative of the piece, no matter how many times I go back to it.

Chenell Turner | Daily Dose Of Joy | 2026

Many of your paintings include tactile elements such as embellishments and layered textures. What role does material experimentation play in your creative process?

To me, material experimentation is fun, it makes the paintings pop and it adds a physical element to the piece. For some of my pieces they do have their meanings and for other paintings, I just wanted to add something more and fun to the piece.

Chenell Turner | Fire Starter | 2026

Several works suggest themes of healing, transformation, or rebirth. Is art a therapeutic practice for you?

Art is an extremely therapeutic practice for me. In my experience with it, traditional therapy can be an unmanageable expense, and it does not provide me with the outlet that I need in the moment. I have a busy brain and big feelings, and I am the kind of person who need a productive outlet. Creating art grants, me the ability to work, think through, and understand my issues. Additionally, the sense of pride that I feel and the release that I’ve earned once a piece is done, is beautifully rewarding.

Chenell Turner | Freakwencie | 2025

How has your artistic journey over the past four years changed the way you see yourself and the world around you?

Four years ago, there were still parts of myself that I was not comfortable with anyone seeing or experiencing. Which is why, the first two years I focused mostly on fluid art paintings, I was still able to receive the release of a completed painting, and I was able to work out how I was feeling in a semi ambiguous manner. Through my artwork I have gained more freedom for myself. The freedom from my own persecution and critique, the freedom to paint however I want to paint, and the freedom to express myself completely. In turn, this newfound freedom has given me the ability to see the world around me in a clarifying lense, which helps to make things not seem so big and scary.

Chenell Turner | Golden Touch | 2025

How does your environment in Baltimore influence your artistic perspective, if at all?

Despite the outside reputation that Baltimore has, as a Baltimore Native, I cannot envision having any other foundation than what my city has given me. I have learned some of my hardest lessons and received some of biggest blessings here in Baltimore. There is so much beauty and charm in this city and the influence that it has on my art is evident. Whether it is the soft intensity or the depth and realness of some of my pieces, they echo the personality that this city has molded in me. I will forever be thankful and in debt to my Charm City.

Chenell Turner | Grieving My Delusion Of You | 2025

If viewers could take away only one feeling or message from your work, what would you hope it to be?

My message would be, you only live one life, don’t be afraid to be yourself and never let your comfortability keep you from achieving your dreams.