Welcome!
Charlotte Keating is a contemporary artist based in the Forest of Dean, creating dreamy abstract paintings that invite moments of tranquility and joy. With soft, expressive brushstrokes and vibrant layers of colour, her work transforms interiors into spaces of beauty, reflection, and positive energy.
Through acrylic paint and pastels, I explore a mindful, meditative approach grounded in healing and self-expression, creating pieces which resonate with emotional depth and beauty. While each series varies in theme, my distinctive use of colour, mark making and layering embodies a unique handwriting, balancing uplifting energy with a sense of tranquillity.
My distinctive style reflects a deep understanding of colour, texture, and form, honed through years of working in fashion. Taking a series-based approach, I draw inspiration from curated colour palettes and themes to create visually compelling narratives.
I work from my summerhouse studio, nestled at the bottom of my garden, an oasis of calm sat amongst the trees, flowers and birds. Painting intuitively offers me the freedom to express myself with colours and marks, reflecting my emotions and responses to the world around me which words alone can’t express. Whilst immersed in exploring ideas and textures, no matter how difficult, I feel grounded and calm which is reflected in the uplifting, peaceful nature of my paintings.
With a strong foundation in creative design, I earned a Foundation Art & Design qualification from Aberdeen College in 1997, followed by a BA (Hons) in Fashion Design from Winchester School of Art in 2000. I then built a dynamic career in high-end women’s fashion, designing biannual collections, bespoke bridalwear and a nursingwear ranges. In 2019, I retrained with established artists to embrace the freedom of intuitive painting as a form of pain management for a longstanding injury, thus providing respite and healing.
My paintings are celebrated for their ability to transform interiors with a sense of calm and uplifting energy through dreamy layers and colour and I'm thrilled that my artwork has found loving homes with collectors both locally and internationally.
Throughout the year, I release several new collections and offer private one-on-one tuition for those looking to delve deeper into their artistic journey and learn to paint intuitively.
Charlotte’s life has been shaped by travel, culture and a deep appreciation for creativity. Born in Britain, she spent her early years in Tunisia & Scotland before moving to the northeast of Italy when she was just five. Attending Italian school, she fully adopted the language and culture, absorbing the rich artistic heritage all around her.
Her mother, a lively and adventurous teacher, encouraged exploration at every turn. Together with her siblings, they experienced Italian traditions, admired the mosaics of Ravenna, wandered the canals of Venice, spent long days on sandy beaches and discovered the historic beauty of Florence, Rome, and Milan. From skiing in the Alps to watching glassblowing in Venice and making Easter eggs in a local chocolate factory, these experiences left a lasting impression, nurturing Charlotte’s curiosity and creativity.
Aged 10, she moved from Italy back to Scotland for five years before spending a year in Texas, USA, for high school. Upon returning to the UK, age 17, she pursued her love of art, completing a Foundation in Art & Design at Aberdeen College before earning a BA in Fashion Design from Winchester School of Art.
Charlotte went on to spend 20 years in the fashion industry, launching her own label and showcasing biannual collections at London Fashion Week. Her elegant womenswear was stocked in high-end boutiques across the UK and USA and she had the joy of designing couture bridal gowns and bespoke pieces for private clients, including celebrities. After becoming a mother, she shifted her focus to designing stylish maternity and breastfeeding wear, launching BreastfeedWithEase, an award-winning range that continues to sell successfully online.
In 2018, Charlotte felt the pull to return to painting, reigniting a passion she had first explored during her art college years. She sought out new ways to express herself beyond traditional representation, taking an intensive course with Californian artist Devon Walz, followed by a masterclass with contemporary artist Bethany Holmes. Through this journey, she developed her own distinctive style—dreamy, layered, and intuitive abstract paintings, rich in emotion and colour.
Charlotte’s work is now exhibited in local galleries and art events, and each year, she enjoys welcoming visitors to her studio as part of the farOpen Art Trail. Her creative process is fluid and instinctive, guided more by feeling than by a fixed plan. Scribbling thoughts, layering paint, and allowing emotions to unfold on canvas, she embraces the surprises that emerge in each piece.
Now, with a strong sense of her artistic voice, Charlotte also shares the joy of painting through workshops, helping others discover the therapeutic and expressive power of intuitive art.
