"My goal is to convey the essence of a landscape, while eliminating much of its detail; similar to that first impression, or the large shapes you see when your eyes
​are half open. I consider my work atmospheric-transitional. Influences for my work are primarily from impressionism, the tonalist movement and abstract expressionism."

My watercolors are improvised on the urban landscape - gritty, stark, rough - engaging a deeper emotion - using
shadow, texture, color and glazes moving art to a more complex tonality. The style is a product of the time and place. The versatility is my signature.
Charlsen’s background as a theatrical lighting designer in New York City for
31 years has allowed her to incorporate her knowledge of light, shadow, scale, colors and textures to culminate an artistic drama. Her work is inspired by architecture and cityscapes captured through the lens of her camera.

Christine Longoria is a graduate of  Trinity University, where her mentor was a student of Hans Hoffman. She was greatly influenced by him, and by Richard Dibenkorn. She has a graduate degree from Western Carolina University.

Longoria was a founding member of the Asheville Gallery of Art, and displays work at galleries throughout North Carolina. She has work is hanging in many private homes and corporations throughout the United States.

​I approach a canvas without a subject in mind; I make marks. The act of applying color and shape to the canvas move me to the next mark.  I recognize and then begin to see the unfolding.  It’s a mysterious process that I hope will encourage the viewer to see more deeply. It will change the way they observe with enlightened eyes.