Charissa is an abstract expressionist artist inspired by the colors and textures in the world around her.

She says, “Louisiana is my home, and it affords me an incredible and diverse palette from which to learn and grow. Often, I explore the delicate layering of soft muted colors and working with a myriad of hues, tones, tints and shades, while infusing it with a sense of elegance, peace, and serenity.

Included in my process is the intricate multi-layering of textures, mediums, and paint while using many unexpected tools.

I vacillate between mixed media and watercolor as my art mediums of choice. Art is what I live and breathe in my everyday life, constantly striving to capture the wonder of what I see to share with others. Oftentimes I see composition and patterns on simple things in the world around me that I incorporate through complex and delicate patterns onto my canvas. I feel keen observation, spontaneity, and intuition are key factors to my creative process.

Creativity for me began at a very young age and never left.

Growing up, I was constantly creating from nature, fabric, art supplies, or household items. I would sit on my uncle’s drafting table and draw flowers, as he taught me techniques while he worked as an architect. I welded with my grandfather and was always encouraged to be creative by my family. My dad is skilled at building and repairing all kinds of things and my mom has always been creative in the culinary sense. They both passed along that sense of creativity to me. I studied art in high school, and my continuous love of art brought me to a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Graphic Design.”

Bullet points of key topics discussed:

1. Creative exploration and her different mediums.

2. Her passion for nature and soft colors.

3. Her sculptures and how a gift from her grandfather inspired them.

4. “Keeping all sides of the boat afloat” - balancing life’s different roles.

5. Taking it one day at a time.

6. Don’t be scared to multiply!

List of resources mentioned in episode:

• The Southern C

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Connect with Charissa here:

• @‌charissaowensart

• Charissa's Web site

Connect with Ashley here:

• @‌unlockyourdreampodcast

• Unlock Your Dream Podcast