Joan Charles
I once heard my art described as “sweetly sinister”. It is true that I’ve always been drawn to the mysterious. After all, even the sunniest days have a little darkness - the deepest shadows are cast at high noon. I guess that dichotomy is reflected in my work, along with the desire to convey emotion and to capture that elusive moment when something momentous is about to happen.
I’ve created art for children's books and magazines and now paint pictures for galleries, exhibitions, and for private collectors in my little studio in Santa Monica, California.
You can find select prints and (sometimes) original art on Etsy at JoanCharlesArt.
Book Reviews
I'm proud to be part of a collective of artists and writers who review children's books featuring diverse characters and themes. Please visit author/illustrator Jane Smith's blog, Bird Meets Worm, for monthly reviews.
Exhibits and Shows
2023
Trios, Group Show, Cactus Gallery, January 2023
2022
Tiny Treasures 17, Group Show, Cactus Gallery, November 2022
2021
Tiny Treasures XVI, Group Show, Cactus Gallery, November 2021
A Sappy Birthday Group Show, Cactus Gallery, March 2021
Friendship Group Show, Cactus Gallery, February 2021
2020
Tiny Treasures XV, Group Show, Cactus Gallery, November 2020
Unusual Child, Group Show, Cactus Gallery, April 2020
2019
Tiny Treasures IV, Cactus Gallery's Annual Small Works Show
Montana Avenue Art Walk
2018
Tiny Treasures + One, Cactus Gallery's 13th Annual Small Works Show
Frankenstein Meets Little Women, Group Show, South Pasadena Public Library
Affair of the Arts, Art Fair
Girls Group Exhibit, The Whole 9 Gallery
Loteria IV! Group Show, Cactus Gallery
Cactus Gallery 13th Anniversary Show, Cactus Gallery
Patterns Group Show, Cactus Gallery
2017
Tiny Treasures XII Group Show, Cactus Gallery
Dia de los Muertos Group Show, Cactus Gallery
2015
All Manner of Madness Group Exhibit, the Upstairs Gallery at Century Books
Three Artists Group Exhibit, the Upstairs Gallery at Century Books
Montana Avenue Art Walk
2014
The Secret Garden, Group Exhibit, Hive Gallery
Group Exhibit, Hive Gallery
Montana Avenue Art Walk
2013
Homegrown Group Show, Roberts Art Gallery
Montana Avenue Art Walk
2012
Tarot Group Exhibit and Limited Edition Tarot Deck Artist, Hive Gallery
Lullabies & Nightmares Group Show, Hive Gallery
Harbinger Book Launch and Exhibit, Hive Gallery
Circus, Circus Group Show, Hive Gallery
2011
Small Wall Featured Artist, Hive 6th Anniversary Show
Tarot Group Exhibit, Hive Gallery
2010
Priceless Group Exhibit, Hive Gallery
Alice in Wonderland Group Exhibit, Hive Gallery
Illustration West 48, Society of Illustrators, LA
2008
Westside Illustrators Group Exhibit, Chemers Gallery
2007
Love Letters Group Exhibit, Lunar Boy Gallery
2006
Once Upon A Summertime Group Exhibit
2005
Westside Illustrators Group Exhibit