Artist Statement
I paint primarily landscape paintings in oils, that are about my revery for the nature and wilderness areas of California. I’m inspired by the life that dwells within these places, and find myself connecting to what is bigger than me, and my urban life.
Witnessing the seasons of life, the order, even the chaos at times, help me embrace universal truths that are a comfort, and at times a little disturbing. But I’m also continually filled with awe, and my love for painting is how I express my appreciation. I hope my viewers find the same.
My paintings lean into the abstract and imaginary in my work, and my approach is also solidly grounded in the places where I walk, hike, and explore. I often sketch and take photos, and this combination of actions come to my aid, back in my studio. I paint spontaneously, without a detailed plan. I enjoy painting in an intuitive way, letting my outdoor experiences scatter and settle onto the canvas. Painting quickly or painting slowly and methodically, thoughts and ideas overlap and unify to become the essence of a place, a conversation with nature.
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I’m honored and thrilled to have been recognized as the Pence Gallery’s Emerging Artist of 2025, which culminated in my first solo show during January and February of 2026, in Davis, California.
About
Growing up in the farm and woodlands of rural northwestern Ohio, Charlene discovered her love for drawing and painting, and being outdoors. A lifelong painter and artist, she first picked up her first paintbrush when she was twelve, and has been drawn to the canvas ever since. She also began weekly oil painting lessons, a practice she continued for nearly a decade. Those early years cemented her foundation and her appreciation for oil paint and painting. She studied graphic design and fine at the Ringling School of Art & Design in Sarasota, Florida, and received her BFA. In 1982, she moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where she pursued a successful career in design and publishing for several decades. Upon leaving her career in 2022, she returned to being a full-time painter. She lives in Oakland, California with her husband, and works in her backyard studio, surrounded by trees and birds.
I love having visitors to my studio! If you’re in the Bay Area, and would like to arrange a studio visit to talk about art, or see more of my work, please contact me via the button link above.
