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Cassidy L. Varney Fine Art

@clvarney.art

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784

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Keeping the Classical Tradition alive through timeless drawings, paintings, and sculpture.
⬇️ Commissions, Prints & Original Art 🐑

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Apologies in advance for the massive photo dump; I need to highlight my amazing sister for a minute here — @joellekatephotography created these new headshots for me, which were long overdue (I think my last business contact shot is from 2017?) and I couldn’t decide which one to post. So you get all of them. 😅

I can’t believe how well she captured the ambiance of the new studio, and the soft lighting I get to paint in every day. Not every photographer understands artistry and design too, so I’m lucky to have one who can hit a vision out of the park!

(Utah locals: If you’re looking to have headshots, weddings, or anything else done, hit me up and I can connect you to the best! ♥️)

Enough about me… I can’t wait to meet some of YOU this weekend at the Studio Open House! Who’s coming? 🙋🏼‍♀️

#inspiringart #utahartist #classicalart #traditionalart #christianart by @clvarney.art

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2 months ago

The “living room mural” is underway!

As soon as I pulled off my old warped peel and stick wallpaper, it was over — a clean wall, just begging to be painted. It’s one of the occupational hazards of being an artist; every blank thing becomes a canvas in our eyes!

I still can’t believe how much the kitchen mural transformed the whole feeling of our home. What once was an impractical and ordinary area of the house has now become a statement piece — a place of warmth, character, and imagination. I look forward to all the memories that will be made aside the distant hills and grazing sheep.

This living room space is pretty tight to work in, but no space is too small for the “classical treatment.”

If you’ve ever thought “I would LOVE something like this in my house, but I have nowhere great to put it,” you might be surprised to find even the tiniest corners of a room, office, or bathroom can make phenomenal statement pieces!

It doesn’t have to be a whole mural, either.
Small budget? We could paint a teeny accent piece — maybe as a little backsplash, headboard, or a climbing vine around a mirror. The possibilities are truly endless.

Want to make it happen? Message me, and we’ll brainstorm together! ♥️

#classicalart #christianart #classicalartist #classicalpainting #inspiringart by @clvarney.art

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2 months ago

Welcome to my new studio: Fully funded by art sales, and now officially ‘open for business.’

I want to thank everyone who has supported and encouraged me all these years. This decades-old dream is even better than I ever imagined, and I feel like I’ve finally come home, creatively speaking.

I started to do a voiceover explaining everything, then decided I’d rather you experience the full tour without words (since that’s the realistic ambiance while I’m working in there). 😅

I couldn’t be happier with how all the furnishings came together; it’s unbelievably cozy, despite being a workspace — which was exactly how I hoped it would feel. I repurposed as many antiques and vintage pieces as possible, and they really set the ‘classical tone’. The last thing I’m missing is a little desktop fountain… I think I’d love the sound of falling water while I work. (If anyone has recommendations for a good one, let me know!)

If you have any questions about the space, just drop them in the comments or shoot me a message!

Happy Friday!

#classicalart #christianart #classicalartist #classicalpainting #inspiringart #upliftingart #classicalpainter #christianartwork #artstudıo #studiotour #shedstudio #artshed #artstudios #traditionalart #oldmasterart by @clvarney.art

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a year ago

Dropping out of traditional college certainly wasn’t on my bucket list — but it was the most pivotal decision of my career as an artist.

I talk all the time about learning, growth mindsets, and gaining as much training as possible in your area of interest m. That endeavor is so crucial — but it will look different for everyone.

For me, my best training was not found at a traditional college (and trust me, I looked!) It was found at a small, private trade school — a classical academy — where I could focus all of my attention on the art techniques, methods, and materials needed for me to create my best work.

The answer was never “drop out and just self-teach.” We need mentors, and we need a community — especially in the fine arts. The answer just looked different than society typically dictated.

In your own quests for learning, don’t dismiss the possibility of non-traditional paths. You might just stumble upon the best decision you’ve ever made.

#classicalart #christianart #classicalartist #classicalpainting #inspiringart by @clvarney.art

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2 days ago

It’s a daily battle, but the truth is on our side: AI will never be able to master the touch of the creator’s hand.

So let’s keep flooding the world with handmade crafts, trades, and creation. Who’s with me?

#classicalart #christianart #classicalartist #classicalpainting #inspiringart by @clvarney.art

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10 days ago

A little glimpse into my earliest stage of creation…
Preliminary / thumbnail sketches!

Creation is a process, and inspiration is not something that can be forced in one session on demand. Not to say that a one-session painting can’t be inspiring (alla prima work can be so stunning, and it’s a great exercise). But for the most part, the best things in life just take time.

On that note, I’ve been drafting sketches and ideas for this year’s Christmas mini-series for months now; I am so excited for the theme, and to share the subjects I’ve been feeling inspired to depict this year.

Follow along so you don’t miss the drop! TBA mid-November… eeek!

#classicalart #christianart #classicalartist #classicalpainting #inspiringart by @clvarney.art

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16 days ago

I had to learn this lesson myself — and it took years. Heck, I’m still learning it today.

At some point, after working on a piece for hours, days or weeks, I’d hit a point where it just felt… done. I’d tell myself it looked “good enough” to be finished, and that it was the best I could do (or if I kept going, I’d probably “ruin it.”)

All of those thoughts and lies were preventing my art from reaching its potential. That mentality seemed harmless, but it was destroying my progress, keeping me in comfortable mediocrity.

This is where having mentors made all the difference. When I’d feel done, they’d tell me “No — it’s not finished yet. A few more layers. Fix these edges. Tighten up that linework.” And so on.

Deep down, I knew they were right. I knew I could do more… So I’d go back to the easel. Make more corrections. Dedicate more hours. Push and stretch myself further than I thought was necessary.

And what do you know…? The results would leave even me speechless. I’d go from “Yeah it’s good enough” to “Did I really create this…?” And it shocked me. Every. Time.

We all do this; Not just in art, but many other areas of our lives. Declare something finished before it’s actually finished. Before it’s TRULY our best.

So here’s your little reminder today — if you have a work on the easel you think is done… Think again. Go back. Take it a little further. Surprise yourself by what you are capable of.

Feel stuck or unsure of what to work on? Shoot me a message. I’m always happy to share, critique, and direct. We’re all on this journey together. ♥️

#classicalart #christianart #classicalartist #classicalpainting #inspiringart by @clvarney.art

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17 days ago

Can a more perfect day exist than a rainy one in the studio?

So many new projects underway, every easel is packed!
Consequently, I haven’t had much time leftover for updates here — but I promise, I’m going to share everything soon!

Stay tuned to see what’s been cooking! 👀

#classicalart #christianart #classicalartist #classicalpainting #inspiringart by @clvarney.art

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18 days ago

Warning: Once you’ve experienced the feeling, it’s hard to go back.

When that special delivery shows up at your door, you open the box, and see your new hand-painted piece of art in person for the first time… It’s like a piece of your soul has come home.

At least, that’s what it feels like for me! Original art holds a special spirit — a raw, human quality, and a sense of peace and tranquility no print could ever capture (though I do own a few prints myself - there is definitely a place for them).

If you’re looking to start your own little (or big!) collection, let me be the first to bring that peace into your home. It would be my honor. ♥️

Know someone who could use a burst of visual inspiration? Original art makes the most wonderful gift — even teeny tiny budget-friendly pieces make a big statement.

I’m not one to rush the seasons, but don’t forget to order your prints and originals as early as possible to guarantee shipping before the busy holidays rush is upon us.

Happy Collecting!

#classicalart #christianart #classicalartist #classicalpainting #inspiringart by @clvarney.art

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23 days ago

The greatest masters in history understood this.
It took my own skills from mediocre to rapidly improved (and quite happily a ‘forever student’).

I’m talking about drawing.

A good, solid foundation of classical drawing skills, using the simplest (and in my opinion, most powerful) tool: the pencil.

Pencil on paper is where it all begins, and in a way, where it all ends. Want to improve at painting? Draw. Want to improve at color matching? Draw. Linework, brushwork, or sculpture? Yep… Get those pencils out and draw.

I had know idea what a difference it would make in my progress, and I will never not emphasize its importance.

Follow along for more classical inspiration, artwork, and technique tips. ✨

#classicalart #christianart #classicalartist #classicalpainting #inspiringart by @clvarney.art

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4 months ago

As a full-time classical artist, I’ve come to accept there really is no “less busy” time of year… but this stretch from early fall through the holidays sure packs an extra punch!

While these months come with additional stress, I could not be happier each time they roll around. Every easel in the studio has a wet painting on it, the walls are full of color, and a line of projects wait in the queue.

It’s the dream I always envisioned. The best dreams take the most work, but they are so unbelievably worth it. ♥️

#classicalart #christianart #classicalartist #classicalpainting #inspiringart by @clvarney.art

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25 days ago

I often consider my role as a creator through this powerful lens — as the only one who perfectly knows the work my hands created.

Every up, down, struggle, and nuance of the process, I am there in the details. Every texture, form, color and line — all familiar to me… because I created it.

Most people will only ever see a finished product. They see something fine-tuned and put together. But I see the unseen — what each masterpiece USED to be. A lump of clay, or a scrappy first layer of wet paint.

More importantly, I see what no one else can: I see what that lump of clay could BECOME… in the right hands.

My hands.

And if I can know (and love) my creations in such an intimate way… Can you imagine what the ultimate Creator sees in YOU?

Just a little morning musing for all my Christian friends out there… Don’t forget whose hands you’re in, and how well He knows you. Past, present… and potential. ♥️

#classicalart #christianart #classicalartist #classicalpainting #inspiringart by @clvarney.art

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a month ago