Ms. Chanda "C.J." Epps is an abstract artist from Hampton, VA. Her early beginnings as an artist started with her writing on the walls of her bedroom and then later in life exploring different mediums on her frequent trips to Paul's Arts & Crafts. This prompted her parents to enroll her in various art programs throughout her childhood which ultimately expanded her artistic abilities and her love of painting. Her motto is, "my art is not a hobby, it is a part of who I am."

In 2011, C.J. started her business, New Art by C.J. Epps, LLC. Through this venture, she sells her own original artwork, commissioned artwork, stationery, and the bloom collection, her line of inspirational t-shirts and merchandise. In 2014, she launched her own brand of mobile paint party services (Live Love Paint with C.J. Epps) in the Hampton Roads area where she serves as the instructor.

​In 2015, to inspire youth through the arts, she created Afternoon Artists, a youth art program. Through this program she volunteers her time and serves as an art teacher. She shares her talent and love of exploring various art mediums with youth ages 6-10. The goal of her program is to give students an opportunity to explore their own creativity by using multiple mediums to create artwork over a five week period. This inspired her to establish Live Love Paint Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on creating art experiences for youth and young adults in the cities of Hampton and Newport News, VA.

She has over 15 years of experience program management, event planning, and training/development with Hampton City Schools - Title I Program in her role as the Coordinator of Family Engagement. She holds a M.S. in Human Resources Management from Troy University, B.A. in Communication Studies from Christopher Newport University and a Certification in Non-profit Management from Tidewater Community College.
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Photo by Amy Killian