Our latest artist featured in the Artist Collective here at Galleria Dallas is Charlie Jo Tanner.
Charlie Tanner is the founder and artist behind Charlie Jo Designs + Fine Art, a Dallas-based studio creating original paintings for thoughtfully collected homes.
Best known for her signature mixed-media Lily Pad Series and expressive abstract botanicals, her work is inspired by the quiet beauty of nature, blending layered color, movement, and texture to create timeless pieces that bring warmth and serenity to interiors.
We connected with Charlie Jo to get her insight into her creative process that led to the creation of her pieces in the gallery on display here at Galleria Dallas.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
A lot of my inspiration comes from my childhood. I grew up in Southern California, and some of my favorite memories are spending time in my grandmother’s garden. I’ve always been drawn to flowers, ponds, and the way light changes throughout the day. Now that I live in Dallas, I find myself inspired by the landscapes here too. I think every painting is a blend of those memories and the places I call home!
What is your favorite piece on display here at Galleria Dallas?
I feel like asking an artist to pick a favorite painting is like asking someone to pick a favorite child. But if I had to choose, it would probably be one of the larger Water Lily paintings. That series feels the most like me. It’s peaceful, layered, and has a lot of movement, which is something I’m always chasing in my work.
What advice do you have for aspiring artists?
Some of the biggest opportunities as an artist came from saying yes before I felt completely ready. I would say my advice is to take risks, put your work out into the world, and trust that you’ll figure things out along the way. You learn so much more by doing than by waiting for the perfect moment. Hard work, consistency, and a willingness to bet on yourself will take you farther than perfection ever will.
What do you hope viewers get/feel from seeing your work?
I hope my work feels like an exhale. We spend so much of our lives rushing from one thing to the next, and I love the idea that a painting can create a small moment of peace. If someone stops, lingers a little longer, or is reminded of a garden, a favorite place, or a memory they hadn’t thought about in years, then I’ve done my job. I hope my paintings bring beauty into people’s homes and become something they enjoy living with every day.
You can view Charlie Jo Tanner's artwork on display on Level 1 near The Westin through September 5.
