Interview
Charlin Janene
Charlin Janene is an award-winning visual artist and published photographer. She attended the only performing arts school in Akron, Ohio. From there, she has been featured in several showcases, sold dozens of pieces, took college level figure drawing in high school and won a NAACP Award before college. She has also sold work to a Grammy-Nominated producer and artist, and in 2025, she started teaching art to children ages 2 to 6.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My life as an artist began when I was a toddler. I was told by my mother that at three years old, I copied my name after seeing it on the fridge. Since then, I’ve been gifted with the ability to convey different messages and emotions through art. I attended the only performing arts school in Akron, Ohio as a Visual Artist interest area during my middle school years. During that time in my life, I was exposed to different art techniques, artists, and other exploratory areas within the arts such as theatre, dance/ballet, and audio performance. Middle school was when I sold my first piece of artwork. It was sold to Akron Children’s Hospital, and years later I donated a colorful printmaking piece. I was invited by my art teacher to explore college level figure drawing courses while still in high school starting at 17 years old.
After completing high school, in 2004, I participated in a local NAACP competition as a Visual Artist. I won at the local level and advanced to compete at the 95th National NAACP Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When I started college at The University of Akron, I was still in the mindset of becoming a lawyer and minoring in art, but plans changed. I ended up having my freshman year charcoal still-life portrait displayed with college seniors, in their showcase. A professor even asked me if she could keep it! I still have that piece in my possession. Then I figured out what I truly wanted to do, so I shifted to Mass Communication, still minoring in art. I worked for ZipsVision at The University of Akron from 2004 to 2006. While there, I was a top camera and megaton operator for men’s and women’s basketball, and women’s volleyball. I met LeBron James in the tunnel one game, it was surreal! His closest friends played basketball for The University of Akron at the same time I worked there.
After May 2006, I took a little break from school and that summer I met my U.S. Marine Corps & U.S. Army Veteran husband of 19 years. We both worked factory jobs that summer. We dated for a few months then he proposed on Christmas Eve 2006. We married in June 2007 and moved to Colorado Springs, CO, it was our first duty station assignment as a married couple. In 2008, I went back to college and finished my degree in May 2010. When I completed my degree we started family planning. But things did not go as planned at all. From May 2010 to March 2020, I endured invasive and painful procedures, had to self administer hormone injections, took oral medications, experienced heartbreak and stress for a decade. We moved from Colorado back to Ohio while my husband deployed for 12 months and then to North Carolina, where we have been since 2011.
Right before the COVID-19 pandemic began, we purchased our first home in February 2020, then our dog passed away unexpectedly, and about two weeks after that I had my very first positive pregnancy test! I delivered our daughter in Fall 2020, and became pregnant again when she was 9 months old, with a boy. He was delivered in Spring 2022. Every few years, I would paint something, and I also picked up photography in 2011. Whenever there was a major loss I painted dozens of pieces for healing and therapeutic purposes. I also completed several charcoal portraits for family friends and one was sold to a Grammy-Nominated music producer and artist.
In 2023, I was honored at my Alma Mater, performing arts school, Miller South, for their 30th anniversary. Current 8th graders at the time created a self portrait of me and 24 other Alumni who still utilize art in their communities and careers. It is now displayed on the same wall where my own 8th grade artwork is! Once I received that honor it ignited something in me to create more artwork and to start participating in art festivals. Now in 2026, I create artwork at least 2-3 times each month. I am slated to participate in the Folk Festival in Fall 2026. Most recently, I have been teaching art to children ages 2-6, preparing for art festivals, I’ve been creating a large collection of African and abstract paintings, and several 30x40 prints have been sold and shipped to Akron, Ohio. My mother has always been my number one supporter. Without my knowledge she started making beaded bracelets and gifted them to me for the Fall festivals. It was truly one of the most thoughtful and loving gestures to show how much she supports my art journey. Even at 40 years old now, it feels like I’m still that 12 year old kid at my audition, getting the news that I was accepted in my performing arts school and it makes me remember and appreciate who has always been there for me. She has purchased art from me over my lifetime as well. That’s what you call a ride or die! Thank you, Mom.”
What inspires you?
“I think my inspiration comes from how I’m feeling. My mindset is my baseline. My core principles allow me to filter out external noise and remain grounded in a real way. I’ve created some of my best work while celebrating something or someone and also while coming out of grief. It is an outlet for me in a lot of situations. Sometimes, I pull inspiration from cultural patterns and colors. It truly depends on how I’m feeling when I start a piece. I have even lost motivation in the middle of creating and I couldn’t pinpoint why it happened. There have been several pieces where I felt like giving up but talked myself out of it and finished strong.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Most of my pieces are contrast heavy. I love playing with contrast and mixing colors. I’m the kind of artist that doesn’t like using secondary or complementary colors. I genuinely love mixing primary colors to create all other colors I need. It keeps me sharp. I’m pretty proud of color matching abilities. Some of my pieces have clear messages while others are a bit more subtle. I have a few with civil rights, equality, and freedom undertones. As a black American, I take pride in my ancestors’ contributions. Whenever I can incorporate a strong message I strategically do so without being overbearing.”
How would you describe your work?
“I would describe my work as being bold, powerful, and having a 90s feel. I love the boldness and colorfulness of the fashion, urban graffiti, TV show title artwork like ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’ and ‘Martin,’ cassette tape and magazine covers, and even the cars of that time were unique and colorful. Recently, I had a returning client of mine say that my work reminded her of the art of the 90s decade. I hadn’t ever thought of my style or labeling it, but she was spot on. I grew up during that marvelous decade; I am a 90s kid!”
Which artists influence you most?
“My artistic influences come from my favorite performing arts teachers, Julie Hogarth and Susan Yingling, Henri Matisse, Charles Henry Alston, Alma Thomas, Keith Haring, and LaToya M. Hobbs. All artists share my appreciation and love for contrast, clean lines, composition, and color. Whether it’s abstract or realism, I am a sucker for clean lines with a nice variety of color.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process absolutely involves a refreshing tingling sensation throughout my body whenever I have originality flowing. I am genuinely excited to dive into new and intriguing ideas. Most of the masterpieces I’ve created come from spontaneity. Inspiration comes from various life experiences — a trip I’ve taken, a story I’ve read recently, meeting someone new, or even reminiscing about good times in my past. Anything that has left a lasting mark in my life can be used as inspiration. Once I have an idea I can work with, my mind starts wandering and begins coming up with potential creations. That’s where the fun starts. Gathering materials, mediums to utilize, the perfect playlist, something to create on and finding a place to let loose are the steps I take before settling in to my creative space. After I make myself comfortable the creative juices start flowing and I allow the process to takeover. I spend hours modifying the subject(s) until it feels right. Sometimes the start to finish process can last for days. And, sometimes I start a piece and it remains unfinished.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artist should embody confidence, a love for community work and helping or teaching others. As I’ve grown as an artist, I have gained an appreciation for those who came before me and also those who are coming behind me. I feel like I have a civic duty to pass on my knowledge and wisdom to younger artists that are still learning what it truly means to be an artist. There’s a responsibility that we carry around with us and it involves showing others how to stand confidently and about ownership. Two important tidbits that I can pay forward are always always sign your work, and never deliver a completed work of art without getting paid first.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I’d have to say that the artworks I was exposed to in Los Angeles were extraordinary! Thanks to my big brother, Karim Abay, I was shown exclusive art galleries, street art (murals), and dozens of lovely exhibits at the HAMMER Museum that left me speechless. I absolutely loved the variety of artists, techniques and styles! I have yet to see anything else quite like it.”
