Meet Chanel Berumen | Artist, Entrepreneur, Peer Recovery Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chanel Berumen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chanel, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
That’s an interesting question because, growing up, I never imagined I’d become an artist. My older brother was always the creative one — he was the youngest artist to be accepted into the Denver Artist Guild. Meanwhile, I was more drawn to books and learning. But everything shifted when I got to college. I experienced a kind of identity rebirth after meeting an incredible group of women in the Fox Den. Through them, I became a model and content creator — an experience that was both freeing and transformative. I credit much of my drive and passion for art to my time with the Fox Den. The women there taught me to own my life and pursue what I truly wanted, no matter what society expected. That sense of freedom gave me the confidence to take the leap and start my own art business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I steer away from the traditional idea of an artist because my work tends to be more raunchy and controversial — and that’s exactly what sets me apart. I think people are often ashamed of their bodies, and with gender being such a huge topic right now, I wanted to create conversation starters with a touch of humor. Are the p*nis and vag*na animals? Absolutely. I believe art should challenge norms and make people think while still making them laugh.

I also love that my work has a healing element. I like to think I’m helping people reconnect with their inner child through my art. Beyond that, I try to give back to the planet by creating festival sunglasses and jewelry from upcycled broken pieces and knick-knacks — helping save the fish from microplastics, one accessory at a time.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you don’t have to follow the expected path. Embracing my unique style and sense of humor — even when it’s raunchy or controversial — has been key to finding my creative voice. I’ve also learned that setbacks are part of the process. That failed launch in the recovery field could have broken me, but instead, it pushed me to find a better fit and grow stronger. Lastly, I’ve learned that building a solid support system matters. The Fox Den, Party Guru, Embark PCA, and NAS Recovery — all of them played a huge role in helping me grow and take risks.

I want people to know that my art is about freedom — freedom from shame, from societal norms, and from self-imposed limitations. My goal is to create art that sparks conversation and makes people laugh while helping them reconnect with themselves. I’m also passionate about using my platform to make a positive impact, whether that’s healing someone’s inner child or reducing plastic waste with my upcycled jewelry. My brand is about authenticity, humor, and creating space for people to feel seen and accepted — exactly as they are.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Since I’m a Colorado native, I’d take my friend on a weekend packed with food and adventure. We’d kick things off with a trip up to Lookout Mountain — it’s one of my favorite spots in the whole state and the perfect place to get lost in nature.

After soaking in the views, we’d stop at Taco House for the best (and most affordable) Tex-Mex in Colorado — the flavor is unbeatable. Next, we’d hit up an arcade like 1Up for some fun and games before heading to Babe’s Tea House in Golden for afternoon tea. There’s nothing better than a tower of delicious sandwiches, scones, and desserts.

From there, we’d head to Indian Hot Springs to relax and soak in the natural mineral waters — it’s such a peaceful spot. Then, we’d explore Idaho Springs, wandering through the charming shops and historic streets. For dinner, we’d go to Smokin’ Yards BBQ — the brisket there is unreal.

To wrap up the day, we’d stop at Pete’s Kitchen for some baklava — the perfect sweet ending. But the real highlight would be catching a sunset at Red Rocks Amphitheatre — there’s nothing quite like watching the sun go down over those iconic red cliffs.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh man, there’s a long list here! Of course, I have to mention the Fox Den — they were such a huge influence. But I also owe a lot to Party Guru Productions. I started there as a writer, covering concerts and events in Colorado, and after four years, I’ve worked my way up to Senior Branding Specialist. Now, I get to work with artists to develop their brands and manage their social media presence — it’s been an incredible journey.

I also have to give a HUGE thank you to Rod at Embark PCA. He was my very first client at Pink Dane Industries, hiring me as a data entry specialist back in 2019. Fast forward to now, and I’m helping him manage his scholarship program — it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come.

I’m also incredibly grateful to Cam and Linda at NAS Recovery Solutions. When I decided to shift from managing scholarships and data behind the scenes to becoming a front-facing peer coach, helping people get sober from drugs and alcohol, they supported me through it all — even after a failed launch at another recovery agency. The whole NAS team has been nothing but supportive and amazing since I started there almost a year ago.

And when it comes to books, Rainbow Fish taught me the importance of sharing my sparkle, while The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People showed me how to take control of my life and create the future I want.

Website: https://www.peachyqueencreatives.shop/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peachyqueencreatives/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeachyQueenCreatives/

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/peachyqueencreatives/?etsrc=sdt

Image Credits
Chanel Berumen
JmadeMedia
FamBam5280