A native of Winnipeg, her works are influenced by the Classical techniques of the old masters from the Renaissance Period that flourished in the 15th to the 17th centuries – the golden age of oil painting. Charlene is also inspired by some of the greatest painter’s of the 18th and 19th centuries – whereby the movements of Classicism, Impressionism, Realism, and Romanticism of this historical period made for a lasting impression….. and while painting in her own infinite style, she is devoted to a comprehensive, all-embracing approach with the accent on portraiture.

Charlene is greatly inspired by religious art especially Byzantine Iconography. Her earlier works were expressed in water colour, line and wash, charcoal and acrylic. With the artistic enclave being so alive in the heart of Old Montreal, Charlene decided to focus on the marvelous range of technical artistic knowledge of classical realism at The Bohemiarte School and Gallery (La Galerie Bohémiarte) under the skilful instruction of Irena Korosec and Lucie Larose. Soon after, she began to learn Byzantine Icon writing – under the teaching of distinguished Russian-born master iconographer Dimitri Andreyev of the renowned Prosopon School of Iconology in New York. More recently, Charlene plans to study abroad in Florence, Italy where she will further her studies in composition of colour, tone and texture.

“So many artists reign supreme; Da Vinci, Caravaggio, Cezanne, Matisse, Michelangelo, Raphael, Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Rembrandt, Delacroix, Titian, Picasso……. and as far as the eye can see!” - Charlene Todaschuk