Charis was born in the beautiful and strange coastal
town of Santa Cruz, California. More of an acedemic in her early days, she graduated with one of the highest SAT scores in her class. But she always knew art in some form was her true passion, and went on to explore its possibilities at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA . She has a love for animation and studied entertainment design along with traditional illustration there. After graduating with her BFA in 2005, she interned at Film Roman, the animation company that produces shows like The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and Stan Lee Presents. She loved it but longed to be in Northern California again and moved back that fall. Ever since she has been teaching, painting, designing, and quenching her love for entertainment with the occasional film project. In 2006 she storyboarded the independent feature film “Blur” and worked in the art department on set as well. For the last couple years has exhibited in the Santa Cruz, San Francisco and LA areas. She is most proud to now be a Santa Cruz County Open Studios artist, and to have just participated in a group show at the 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco.

 

“My paintings are usually quite emotional. Often of people sleeping or dancing, it’s about being fully lost in something, about dreaming. Sometimes I try to capture the inbetween, that look of wakeful dream-ing, of someone stilly swimming in their own unique thoughts. They are supposed to capture those moments where we feel either most comforted, most alive, or most inspired. Sometimes it's the beauty in the quiet moments. I hope that each feels narrative and mysterious, calling you wonder and to make up the rest of the story in your own mind. I hope you feel inspired.”