Spotlight on Charlotte Redman
Name: Charlotte Redman
Age: 28
Degrees and honors: BA in Visual Arts from Grand View College, Magna Cum Laude Class of 2002 Grand View College, Alfa Chi Member, Best In 2D Valley Junction Spring Art Market 2008
Occupation: Painter at Sticks Inc.
Medium: Primarily abstract paintings in acrylic paint, charcoal and paper. I am also trained in photography, ceramics, fibers and drawing.
Statement about your work: I differentiate between influence and inspire. For something to influence me, it would have to have a direct impact on my life and work. To inspire me, it would just have to be something that gets my artistic mind flowing with thoughts, ideas, and creativeness. Every artist I have encountered, in person or through books has inspired me in one way or another. My most recent inspiration has been coming from Graffiti Art and an artist by the name of Aaron Petersen. Naturally, my family and friends along with the events in my life influence my work through my emotions. My color pallet will change from week to week depending on how my boss, boyfriend, or checkbook treats me that week. It might sound a little wishy-washy for some but how my influences effect my work is almost like the backbone of my art. I have a strong background in Art Therapy and have used it in my work since High School. This “therapy” part of my work has been the one component that hasn’t changed in my style no matter what medium I happen to use or what era of my life it happens to be.
Fun Facts: I am tragically trapped in the in late ’80’s and early ‘90’s. Cher, John Hughes movies and Synchronized dance are a few of my great loves. I never thought that I would make art a career. Growing up I wanted to work in a mailroom or be a diva. (If you know me well, that makes perfect sense.)
Advice: As long as I have been creating, I have known people who thought that I was very talented and people who thought that I wasn’t. It took a long time to realize that neither of those groups really matter. Clear your mind of all the junk, people and pressure so it is just you. Then ask yourself what you want to do? What would be successful for you? That answer is your goal. When you reach that goal, repeat the process. Never stopping, never giving up, and always reaching to achieve that goal is what matters. That is the talent that counts.