Meet Chad Hoberer | Benevolent Overlord

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

Hi Chad, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
In 2015, I started C. Scenic with my wife, Chelsea, and longtime collaborator and friend, Paul Warmus, using our collective expertise and knowledge gained from working in scenic shops since the early 90s to knock out the middle-man involved with being independent freelancers and provide work for other artists in the fluid and competitive industry that we had learned to navigate. At C. Scenic, our goal is to make cool stuff with cool people.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Despite being a business owner, my identity will always be as a painter first. Much of my work nowadays outside of the scenic shop is surrealist, but I have created art in countless mediums and styles.

I paint first and foremost for me. I feel like when an artist strays from painting for themselves, then they are losing touch with what it is to be an artist. But mostly, my landscapes come from childhood memories. Places I’ve been, grown up around, or places from my dreams. It’s important to me to paint from memories, regardless if they are dreams. Figures and creatures are simply created for my own silliness and personal delight.

The first part of my process is to “approach with a cavalier attitude,” or so I’ve been told, followed by painting or prepping a surface with a loose charcoal sketch to lay out the groundwork. Overall my approach is very personal, the thought of sharing it with the world doesn’t interest me.

I am most happy when I am busy in my studio. So the idea of spending the rest of my days painting is the ultimate goal. I am fortunate to share space with other creative minds, both in my personal life and professional business.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Radha Kalachandji Temple is a staple for me. They have an awesome courtyard, and their food is all vegan and amazing. Absolutely check them out on their vegan lasagna day.

John’s Cafe on Greenville for breakfast, especially the Philly cheesesteak omelet.

Jimmy’s Food Store is an absolute other world that I can’t recommend enough for their sandwiches, but everything they offer in the store is awesome.

Whenever I’m under the weather, I go to Bangkok City on Bryan Street and immediately feel better with their tom-kha-gai.

Other than restaurants, I go on a lot of nature walks and hiking on various trails. Chelsea and I will often take walks up and down Swiss Avenue or Lower Greenville or play around at local parks. It’s a bit outside of Dallas proper, but Go Ape in Plano has plenty to do outdoors, as well.

Finally, because I’m very proud of my backyard, I enjoy hosting friends with a nice campfire and some drinks.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mentor, Peter Wolf, whose talent and creativity was always a source of inspiration and who instilled in me the value of people before work.

Chelsea Hoberer, my wife and co-owner, whose sense of humor is a frequent joy in my life and whose partnership and support is ceaseless.

Paul Warmus, my friend and the third leg on which C. Scenic stands. Without him, we are a broken stool.

And the whole of the C. Scenic team: Iri, Morgan, Jaja, Ian, Rooster, Amber, and Bianca. Rockstars. Every one of them.

Website: https://www.c-scenic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram/c-scenic

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/c-scenic/