Artist Statement

In my work, the music is the conduit. I am completely inspired as I experience the freedom, dynamic energy, love, passion, joy and the improvisational quality, exploring new and infinite possibilities.

Working in this way brings forth to me the idea that we are always creating our own reality and we always have the choice to create joy for ourselves and for others. I find this idea of creation to be powerful and exciting.

Artist Bio

Charleston's work is informed by the culture of the 60's and early 70's. As a young teenager, she was visiting the jazz clubs in Greenwich Village and frequenting the Museum of Modern Art. She was developing as an artist and was deeply inspired by cultural breakthroughs and explosions of sensibilities in music, politics and social mores.

Her formal training began in New York at age 16 attending the Art Students League, Parsons School of Design and eventually acquired a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of Visual Arts. Her influences are African art and the works of Matisse, the German expressionist Kokoshka and the sculpture of Giacometti. She has also had a career as a stand up comedianne, performance poet and actress.

Her works have appeared throughout the Los Angeles area and are collected internationally.

Resume

Education:
School of Visual Arts    New York, N.Y.    Bachelor of Fine Arts    1976
Parsons School of Design    New York, N.Y.    1965
Art Student's league    New York, N.Y.    1963-1965
Creativity, Visual art, Movement, and Performing Workshops and Classes    New York and Los Angeles    1983-present as student as well as teacher.
Carol Bodlander    Venice, CA    2007 - 2008

Selected Solo Exhibitions:
The Palmer Room    Los Angeles, CA    2006
The Blue 7 Gallery    Santa Monica, CA    2004
The Gallery Wall    Santa Monica, CA    2003


Selected Group Exhibitions:
Watts Towers Art Center   Los Angeles, CA   2009
Howeeduzzit Gallery   Alhambra, CA   2009
William Grant Still Arts Center   Los Angeles, CA   2008
Burbank Creative Center   Burbank, CA   2008
Los Angeles Sentinel   Los Angeles, CA   2008
Long Beach Arts   Long Beach, CA    2008
Viva Gallery   Sherman Oaks, CA   2008
Artpeace Gallery   Burbank, CA     2008
Howeeduzzit gallery   Alhambra, CA   2008
626 Art Gallery   Los Angeles, CA   2008
Bird Fine Art    West Hollywood, CA    2007
The Johnson Art Collection    West Hollywood, CA    2004 - 2007
The Orlando Gallery    Los Angeles, CA    2004 - 2006
The Carol Lawrence Gallery    Beverly Hills, CA    2006
Agape International Spiritual Center    Los Angeles, CA    2006
Blue Music    Los Angeles, CA    2006
Beverly Hills Art in the Garden    Beverly Hills, CA    2006
Brentwood Art Show    Brentwood, CA    2006
Venice Art Festival    Venice, CA    2006
Sweet & Hot Jazz Festival    Los Angeles, CA    2005

Awards/Grants:

Grant received through Los Angeles City Council - 10th district

Art Instructor:

Los Angeles Unified School District/ Adult division - 2001-present
    Los Angeles Community Adult School
    Westside Community Adult School
Los Angeles Public Libraries - 1997 -2000
Los Angeles County Libraries - 1997 -2000