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About The Artist
Hello, I am Tif Choate (ChŌt),
founder of Snail Candy Art Studio
I have one mission in my life and in my art: to help people experience joy in unexpected places. Joy is a valuable currency. Amazingly, it has the power to totally restore our mental banks. It's so underrated.
Each connection to a joyful moment is like a flotation device, in a world that can sometimes be a total drag. Things you see, hear and experience; what excites you, even causes you to be in awe or laugh out loud is life's good stuff. Joy has that unique ability to change our minds, give us hope and restore strength.
I create my paintings in order to arouse joy and warmth in you, the viewer. I hope that the images I create will lift your spirits.
I started Snail Candy Art Studio in 2017 full-time, and left behind all of the other joy-sucking jobs I've had to begin my real life, making & creating art. I primarily paint on canvases and walls, with brushes, palette knives and various tools, using acrylic paint, latex paint and watercolors. Custom portraits of animals and people, in my colorful mosaic style, are one thing I truly enjoy creating for my clients, along with colorful abstracts and many other subjects, like octopuses & birds. I also love painting large public wall murals and have been blessed to paint many in the surrounding communities where I live. As an active Colorado artist, I regularly exhibit my paintings in galleries and art fairs. I totally believe in public art projects, especially murals championing social change and positive narratives, and participate in them across the front range of Colorado. I have been an artist and painter all my life. I have a degree in graphic design and illustration from the Art Institute of Ft Lauderdale, FL. Thanks for checking out my work!
Testimonials:
What Others are saying
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"What draws me to Tif's art mainly is her use of color. Her work "pops" . Her style is also very expressive. I love when I can see the feelings in the work." ~Eileen Kantor, Kantor + Co.
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"Tif is a one of a kind artist. Her vibrant colors carry the personality and aura of her subjects. Love her work!" ~Stephanie S
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"Tif is a tremendous talent and cool human. People always comment on how much they love my hypnotic Fox painting - I love it too!!" ~Shannon V
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"creativity flows here".... ~Sean O
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"her art is absolutely stunning and unique. i am so in love with the way she uses colors to make the picture pop in the best of ways. i love her style and her passion and would absolutely recommend to anyone who wants a portrait done!" Alexandra Y
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"The Dog! The first time I saw Tif’s Art was an installation at Simpson Coffee house and I’ve REGRETTED not buying The Dog ever since. There is art that is moving and memorable and then there is art you simply want to have in your life every day. That’s Tif’s Art!" ~ Corinne A
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"Tif created a beautiful portrait of our Orrin. Her color choices and attention to the details specific to his being really make this piece special for us." ~Heather B
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"Beautiful painting captures the soul of my sweet pet!" ~ Jan C
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"I love Tif Choate's art! Bright, vibrant, fun colors that will make you smile!" ~Lisa L
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"Her work sings with spirit!" 'Susan B
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"I commissioned a painting as a gift for my daughter of her 2 cats. She loved it. The bright colors are so happy and cheerful." ~ Marcia V
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"We hired Tif to help my son and I turn our vision into a painting to celebrate a very important milestone in my son’s life. Her work is amazing and the piece she did for us captured our ideas perfectly. What a wonderful gift she has!" ~Cristina J
• Check out my blog for the latest musings.
• Sign up for the Newsletter to know where I'm exhibiting next and what's new in the studio.
• Like my 
page @snailcandy
• Follow me on 
@snail.candy
Artist CV
Recent Group Exhibitions
2019-2020
- The Colorado Children's Hospital Gallery 'Animal LOVE' featuring four paintings from ‘Truth Is A Good Dog’ series on exhibit until Jan 21, 2020, Aurora, CO
- The Arts Hub & Art Underground Gallery, select paintings from 'Truth is A Good Dog' Series, November-Dec 2019, Lafayette, CO
- R Gallery in Boulder Exhibit 'Lines' , Aug.-Sept. 2019, Broadway & Pearl Street Mall, Boulder, CO
- The Arts Hub & Art Underground Gallery, 'Intersect: A Retrospective of Juncture’ series of 12 original artworks on exhibit with 2 other artists, Lafayette, CO
- Madelife Gallery, ‘Community Hang(Out)’, Boulder, CO
- Lafayette City Library, ‘See & Respond: Art on the Street’ Juried Exhibition, Lafayette, CO
2018
- Madelife Gallery, ‘Community Hang(Out) + Beat Cypher’, Boulder, CO
- Cannon Mine Coffee House, ‘Truth Is A Good Dog’ Tif Choate with artist, Dori Stickles, Lafayette, CO
2016-17
- East Simpson Coffee Co., ‘Duo of Color’ with artist Ruth Meere, Lafayette, CO
- Louisville Center for the Arts, ‘Winter Fine Arts Show, Juried Exhibition, Louisville, CO
- Lafayette City Library, ‘See & Respond: Art on the Street’ Juried Exhibition, Lafayette, CO
- CORE Art Space, ‘Grand Petit Deux’, Santa Fe Art District, Denver, CO
- Twisted Pine Brewery, ‘Hear Our Voices’,Silent Auction to benefit domestic violence survivors with SPAN [Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence], Boulder, CO
Public Art
2020
- ''Wild Horses of Colorado" on a large utility box, 300 Public Rd., Lafayette, CO
- ''Don't Worry" (rainbow, two arms coming together to make a heart, different skin colors, with message Don't Worry, Every Little Thing is Gonna Be Alright'') 80+', 2 sides of a building, Carr St. & Baseline Rd., Lafayette, CO
- ''A Boat through the Universe" on a fence for Alley Art Amazin', Cleveland St. alleyway, Lafayette, CO
- " You ; Matter" ( large mural to honor Suicide Prevention) 80+' public project for the city of Broomfield, CO
2019
- 'Bee Kind’ (large Bee with sunburst and words) exterior fence in parking area, The Arts Hub, Lafayette, CO
2018
- ‘Insectopia’ (larger than life winged insects and flora) 3D switchgear box for SHOCK Art, Art In Public Places, Target on Nelson Rd., Longmont, CO
- Commercial Mural 60’x15’, Animal Urgent Care 24 hour, 64th & Ward, Arvada, CO
2017
- ‘My Neighbor Totoro Visits Waneka Lake’, public mural for Alley Art Amazin’ city mural program, Lafayette, CO www.alleyartamazin.com
- ‘Let It Bee’ (the Beatles meets bee conservation) 3D switchgear box for SHOCK Art, Art In Public Places, 6th & Coffman, Longmont, CO
- ‘Lotus & Ohm’, gold leaf mural inside Soul Tree Yoga, south studio, Lafayette, CO
- ‘Little Clinic Measure Up Animals’, mural in exhibit, WOW! Children’s Museum, Lafayette, CO
2012-16
Public murals, Alley Art Amazin’ city mural program, Lafayette, CO - www.alleyartamazin.com:
• Peacocks 100’x7’
• Chicka Boom 12’x10’
• Empowered by Love 48’x15’
• The Hand Off’ 60’x15’
•LafaYeti 24’x10’
• Miller’s Window 12’x8’
• The Miner at the Miner’s Museum, Lafayette, CO
• Sunrise in the Mountains, on Mary Miller’s chicken coop
• Urban Garden 2-sides of a house
• John Weise Tribute, founder of Alley Art Amazin’
pre-2011
- Multiple stage sets and mobile murals for non-profits, Asheville, NC
- Public art murals with homeschool communities
Honors & Awards
2020
- 2 original paintings and 4 fine art framed prints purchased into permanent collection at Children's Hospital North Campus, Broomfield, Co
- 1 original painting and 1 fine art framed print purchased into permanent collection at Children's Hospital Anschutz Campus, Denver, Co
2019
- Selected Artwork commissioned by ARTS! Lafayette for 2019 Art Hero Award Winner
2018
- ‘Insectopia’, 3D switchgear box, public vote winner for SHOCK ART, Art In Public Places, Longmont, CO
- Juror, ‘See & Respond: Art on the Street’ Reception, Lafayette City Library, Lafayette, CO
- ‘Music, Rhythms & Dance’ Juried Exhibition, 2nd Place Award, Louisville City Library, Louisville, CO
- Arts! Lafayette Art Hero Award Recipient
2017
- ‘Let It Bee’, 3D switchgear box, public vote winner for SHOCK ART, Art In Public Places, Longmont, CO
Solo Exhibitions
2019
- Elevate Realty Gallery, 'Truth Is A Good Dog' Entire series on exhibit, Louisville, CO
- High Drive Pet Supply, 7 Dogs from ‘Truth Is A Good Dog’ series on exhibit, Longmont, CO
- Romero’s K9 Club & Taproom, ‘3 Dog Nights’, Lafayette, CO
2018
- The Acne Lab, Tif Choate Solo Exhibition, Lafayette, CO
- East Simpson Coffee Co., ‘By Love: Art, Love & MeToo’, Exhibition and Silent Auction, Lafayette, CO
- FATE Brewery, ‘Wild Things II’, Boulder, CO
- FATE Ale House, ‘Wild Things’, Lafayette, CO
- Bittersweet Cafe, Tif Choate Solo Exhibition, Louisville, CO
Invitational Exhibitions
2019
- Romero's K9 Club & Taproom, Half-A-Ween Exhibit, Lafayette, CO
2016-18
- The Arts Hub & Art Underground Gallery, ‘12x12 ARTS! Ball’, Fundraiser & Silent Auction, Lafayette, CO '18
- East Simpson Coffee Co., ‘Artists Among Us II’, ARTS! Lafayette, Lafayette, CO '18
- East Simpson Coffee Co., ‘Artists Among Us’, ARTS! Lafayette, Lafayette, CO '17
Publications about the Artist
2018
- ‘Critters on Canvas’ article in Life & Culture Section, The Denver Post - July 12 edition
- ‘Turning Your Pets Into Pieces of Art’ FOX31 CH.2 News: Unique 2 Colorado - aired July 31
- ‘Ferbenreiche Vierbeiner’ (Full Color Quadruped) world news article, Hund, syndicated German magazine - July/August issue
2015
- Interview: The Making of a mural ‘The Hand Off’ by Tif Choate @ The POST Brewery’, The Lafayette Buzz, Terence Wike, on YouTube
2014
- ‘Up Their Alley: Colorado Town Creates Bootstrapped Public Art Project’ article about Alley Art Amazin’ including Tif Choate, article in Life & Culture section, The Denver Post - 2014
Teaching/ Professional Experience
2012-present
- Lead Artist, Alley Art Amazin’ city mural program, Lafayette, CO
2016
- Co-Chair of Public Art Committee, City of Lafayette, CO
2013-16
- Member of Public Art Committee, City of Lafayette, CO
2013-15
- Artistic Director, Alley Art Amazin’ city mural program, Lafayette, CO
2014
- Art Instructor, ‘I Have a Dream’ mural for Dreamers Youth program, helping to design & oversee group painting
2011
- Summer Youth Art Instructor K-5th Grade, Boulder Valley Christian Church
2002-2010
- Homeschool Instructor for my two sons
- Co-op teacher for Hendersonville Homeschoolers Assoc., Asheville, NC
- Co-Op teacher private homeschool community, Boulder County, CO
Education
1991
- AS Degree in Arts, Illustration and Graphic Design, Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, FL
1970-present
- continuing education, workshops, field training, mentorship, parenting, and lots of trial and error.
Strengths
Large format painting, professional acrylic and latex painter, animal portraiture, wall mural painting,
graphic design, Adobe Creative Suite designer, all around positive attitude, resilience and determination.
• Check out my blog for the latest musings.
• Sign up for the Newsletter to know where I'm exhibiting next and what's new in the studio.
• Like my page @snailcandy
• Follow me on @snail.candy
