Cheghre, (pronounced 'shaffer') the artist, Bohemian and bon vivant, started painting at his  pied a terre in the quaint beach village of Capitola, California in January of 2005. Since then, this adult prodigy has produced nearly 30 pieces of work, a few commissions and some have actually been traded for cash.

"His work is gaining renown," said Boris Siebert, director of world wide sales for S'all Good, the company that represents Cheghre. "These are works of art aligned to 'soul shine', or that which makes ya feel good. This is regarded as very high art in parts of West Virginia and Arkansas."

Many people have asked Cheghre why at age 45 in 2003,  he abandoned a three-decade career in gourmet retailing to paint with a pallet knife.

"There's a phrase in Chassical Chinese, seikou udoku, which means when the sun is shining, till the fields, and when it is raining, engage in reading. I was attracted to this type of life from my youth."

He watches little television, declines invitations to imperial palaces and dinners for heads of state. He also prefers to turn down requests for interviews and appearances.

Cheghre took up the quiet party life about 20 miles from the world of power and influence of Silicon Valley in the resort town where he plays blues piano, makes chocolate & caramel concoctions and hosts small dinner parties.

"The idea of taking oneself out of the Powerpoint world of Blackberries and Apples has always been in vogue with me."  Behind his passion for a simple life is his desire to fill his soul with the spirit of people, ideas and music.

"There is not a day I wake up where I don't dream, conjure ideas or explore new boundries," he said.

Enjoy the movement of Cheghre-ism.