Inspired by life - a thought, a feeling or an image, Chantal E.Y. Bethel draws on her emotions to create her paintings. With her use of vibrant colors and movement ,Chantal is challenged to capture not just a slice of life but the very soul that drives it.

Chantal E.Y. Bethel has benefited from the tutelage of New York figurative expressionist - Selina Trieff - at the Fine Art Work Center in Province Town, Massachusetts, Jeanne Dobie,aws - author of Making Color Sing in Belgium and Antonius Roberts, renowned Bahamian Master Artist..Chantal who has a degree in Business Management walked away from a 15 year career to follow her dream of being a full time artist. Approaching art with an unquenchable thirst for learning and an eagerness to work incredibly hard at continually improving her skills ,she pursued visual Art studies at the Haliburton School of The Arts in Canada.

Having exhibited extensively in Freeport and Nassau since 1994 - with a One Woman show in 1997 - Chantal made her international debut in 2000 at the Biltmore Hotel ,Coral Gables, Fla. and has since participated in shows in Manhattan, The Hamptons and Marthas Vineyard.

In 2001 she was honoured by Miami Childrens Hospital for her support of children issues through the arts.

In 2003, her work was accepted into the National Gallery of the Bahamas first juried exhibition, to which some 200 pieces were submitted.

Her painting: Exodus 1999 was the subject for a dissertation written by Dr. Krista Thompson and published in Marginal Migrations, the Circulation of Cultures within the Caribbean - Warwick University (2003).

Chantal was delighted to have been commissioned by the chairman of the Humane Society of Grand Bahama to paint Amigo (portrait of a Bahamian dog wearing a Junkanoo costume) for the purpose of promoting the cause of Animal welfare in the Bahamas and internationally. Other commissions include three panels on wood for the new five star- Four season Emerald Bay resort and casino on Exuma island.

Her paintings have found their way in private and Corporate collections in the Caribbean, the U.S.A., Canada and Europe including Miami Children Hospital, Ernst & Young Chartered Accountants, Family Guardian Insurance, Mr.and Mrs. John Travolta and other distinguished Art Collectors.

SELECTED MAJOR SHOWS:

2004 "National Art Gallery of the Bahamas - JURIED SHOW", Nassau, Bahamas

2003 " Lyford Cay Gallery Spring Collection" - Lyford Cay, Bahamas.

2003 "National Art Gallery of the Bahamas - Inaugural Exhibition - JURIED SHOW", Nassau, Bahamas.

2003 "Caribbean Art Festival" - Manhattan N.Y., The Hamptons, Martha's Vineyard, U.S.A

2003 "Endowment for the Performing Arts Auction 2003", Government House, Nassau, Bahamas.

2003 "Featured Artist - The Nature Center's Festival Noel", Freeport, Grand Bahama.

2002 "We Dream A World' - Central Bank Gallery, Nassau, Bahamas.

2001 "Four Corners" - Sir Charles Hayward Yacht Club - Freeport, Grand Bahama.

2001 "Zo's Summer Groove V - An Evening in Paradise Auction: - Miami, Florida

2001 "Spirit of the Bahamas" - Central Bank Gallery, Nassau, Bahamas.

2000 "An Evening of Bahamian Art and Culture" - Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables, Florida

2000 "Historical Buildings of the Bahamas" - Millenium Calendar - Central Bank Gallery, Nassau, Bahamas.

1999 "Expressions" - Sir Charles Hayward Yacht Club - Freeport, Grand Bahama.

1999 "Passage" - Central Bank Gallery, Nassau, Bahamas.

1999 "Between Friends" - Central Bank Gallery, Nassau, Bahamas.

1997 "Bahamas Wonderland" A ONE WOMAN show - Central Bank Gallery, Nassau, Bahamas.

1996 "Hear Me Roar" - Central Bank Gallery, Nassau, Bahamas.

1994 "Moods of Freeport" - Regency Theatre, Freeport, Grand Bahama.