Artist based in Philadelphia, PA
Charlie J. Meyers, portrait of the artist
Tell us about yourself, what's your background?
When I was a child, my family immigrated to the United States. I shared a bunk bed with my sibling in a small apartment. I struggled to express how I felt about all the significant changes in my life and would instead spend hours drawing and coloring on the top bunk. My elementary school art teacher noticed my love of drawing trees and encouraged my parents to enroll me in weekend art classes. I never considered being anything else. I majored in art in high school and went straight into college for my BFA in painting at Tyler School of Art. Afterward, I completed my MFA in Studio Arts at Concordia University in Montreal. I never let go of the imaginative world I discovered as a child; I made it my life.
Dark Bloom, oil on canvas, 36x48 inches, 2022, Charlie J. Meyers
"The series is also inspired by my daily meditation practice and walks across the city to the waterfront. After years of difficulty, I’m searching for peace in my life, hoping that peace resonates in my work. I see these paintings as meditative offerings—a bit of hope."
Broken Golden Bowl, oil on canvas, 30x40 inches, 2023, Charlie J. Meyers
What are you currently working on and where did the inspiration for it come from?
I’m working on a long-term abstract series called Dark Bloom. In 2014, shortly after completing my MFA, I was hit by a truck while riding my bicycle home. It was a near-death experience, which caused a frontal lobe bleed, multiple back injuries, and other long-term damage. I spent almost a decade in physical therapy, unable to paint consistently for many of those years due to a shaking hand. In 2021, I finally returned to the studio and could paint on a larger scale again for the first time since the accident.
Cryptid, oil on canvas, 24x36 inches, 2022, Charlie J. Meyers
Dark Bloom represents blooming out of hardship. I am finally able to create the images that have been locked in my mind for a decade. The series is also inspired by my daily meditation practice and walks across the city to the waterfront. After years of difficulty, I’m searching for peace in my life, hoping that peace resonates in my work. I see these paintings as meditative offerings—a bit of hope.
Revival At Sunset, oil on linen, 22x30 inches, 2023, Charlie J. Meyers
Innovation does not only happen in the field of technology — it occurs everyday in a creative practice. What do you do for inspiration?
When I’m not painting, I’m building my business, The Moon Cheese Curator. Lately, I’ve been helping clients with grant writing, artist statements, applications, and other career tasks. Working with other artists has transformed my thinking, energized my practice, and inspired me to continue painting despite the challenges. I’ve been particularly influenced by my older clients who have been painting for over 30 years. They offer insights that come only from years of dedication, reminding me that it’s not about creating a single perfect painting, but about the lifelong process of looking, searching, and creating.
Studio view
Describe your practice and process. Where do ideas start for you? In the studio or being in the world?
I meditate for an hour every morning, right after I wake up. During this time, I see many visuals and a large abstract color field. In this field, I often visualize unique objects, cave-like structures, and other indescribable abstractions.
Studio view
How do you make your work, does it start with a sketch?
I create my work in stages. I spend a long time on material and canvas preparation because the surface I work on is just as important as the painting itself. I prepare large playlists and use my color synesthesia to guide the sketches. I love sketching with colored pencils and markers. If I feel frustrated or unable to concentrate, I stop to meditate, which helps me clarify the image in my mind. I use those sketches as a starting point for my paintings. Though I have an entire practice dedicated to figurative watercolors and oils, my main focus is gestural abstraction. When painting abstracts, I’m riding a wave of energy, visuals, and excitement, channeling it through color and mark-making. My style is most aligned with this wave pattern, and I developed it through daily meditation and exploring my color synesthesia.
Gateway, 2024, oil on linen, 4x6 inches, Charlie J. Meyers
Many artists live by their routines, what does that look like for you?
Routine is really important to me. I live with multiple disabilities from a bicycle accident. On a studio day, I get up around 4 a.m., do an hour of physical therapy exercises, meditate, and complete other health-related tasks. My goal is to get to my studio as early as possible and paint using the morning light from my large studio windows. I usually bring meal prep to the studio and try to stick to that. I thrive on routine and aim to have peaceful days. This helps me appreciate tasks like preparing materials, which might otherwise feel mundane.
When I arrive at the studio, I make a cup of tea, answer emails, and write a to-do list. I also clean and catch up on anything I need to. When I start painting, I select one of my pre-made playlists and take breaks every 45 minutes. During breaks, I meditate, stretch, walk around the neighborhood, and sometimes take naps. There’s nothing quite like a nap on an old studio couch—I sleep better on those than on my own bed!
Horizon, 2024, oil on linen, 4x6 inches, Charlie J. Meyers
Who are your biggest influences?
Music is my biggest influence. I experience color synesthesia when I listen to music, so I make very long playlists for painting. They become the soundtrack to the body of art I’m working on. I tend to listen to the same artists for a few years at a time. My current painting music includes Ry X, Max Richter, Keaton Henson, and Schubert.
Are there books or films that are an important source of inspiration?
The Creative Business Handbook by Alicia Puig and Ekaterina Popova has been a source of inspiration as I continue my journey working full-time as an artist and creative coach. Building a business that supports other artists with writing, mentorship, and resources has played an integral role in my studio life. Though I am constantly inspired by books and films about life, love, and philosophy, I mention a business book because, as artists, we don’t talk about this enough. I feel most inspired to paint and devote myself to the studio when my financial needs are met. For me, making good art while in survival mode isn’t really possible. Additionally, working one-on-one with other artists has been incredibly fulfilling. Helping others with their creative lives teaches me how to show up for my own.
Pond, 2024, oil on linen, 4x6 inches, Charlie J. Meyers
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
My art business coach, artist Ekaterina Popova, once said to me, "Why would you be given these dreams if you weren’t meant to fulfill them?" I think about that whenever I’m filled with doubt or overwhelmed by my goals or finances. The message in that advice is to stop questioning your dreams and whether they’re worth pursuing—have faith.
Studio view
What is the best advice you would give to other artists?
Don’t wait for someone to say yes, open the door for you, or tell you you’re good enough. Start creating your own opportunities now. When I began doing that, I started building relationships, and opportunities naturally came my way.
Also, don’t wait until everything is perfect to make your art or for the perfect idea to come. Art is work, and not every day will be your best. This means you don’t need to approach every creative act with perfectionist urgency. Breathe, and try again tomorrow.
Portrait of Innovate Grant Honorable Mention Charlie J. Meyers
Stay up to date with Charlie J. Meyers
Website charliejmeyers.com
Instagram @charliejmeyers
Community @mooncheesecurator