Artist Charlotte Alldis on blue pasta, purple pancakes and the playful art of deep nourishment
Artist, maker, storyteller, and mum to Buster the bulldog. Artist Charlotte Alldis’ life journey so far has been as vibrant, playful and captivating as the worlds she paints.
Childhood for Charlotte, was a self made kaleidoscope of wonder and whimsy. Art wasn't the initial muse; instead, it was the enchanting realm of storytelling that captured her imagination. Raised by parents who were educators deeply immersed in the realms of play, writing, and literature, she was steeped in a culture of creativity from an early age.
A QUICK WHIP AROUND THE INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE UP CHARLOTTE
PRONOUNS: She / Her
HOMETOWN: Wadawurrung Land / Geelong and Naarm / Melbourne
JOB DESCRIPTION: Artist
Twin Flame #8
Oil on Linen, 125cm x 105cm x 4.5cm
Early on, the focus wasn’t fine art for Charlotte—it was playfulness, experimentation, and joy. As a child, Charlotte transformed mundane meals into fantastical feasts, crafting blue pancakes, purple pasta, and dyed vegetables with unabashed delight. Cooking wasn't about following recipes; it was about embracing the magic of the moment and relishing in the act of creation.
In her twenties, the trajectory of her life was more squiggles than straight lines. Struggling with confusion, Charlotte embarked on a journey of self-discovery and nourishment. It was during this pivotal period that she discovered the transformative power of food—not just as sustenance but as a means of self-care and expression. Guided by friends who taught her the culinary arts, she discovered the joy of cooking for pleasure and the importance of nourishing both body and soul.
Simultaneously, Charlotte’s artistic journey began to take shape. While her path initially led her to art school, she found herself longing for a more fluid and exploratory space. A detour into psychology unveiled a passion for understanding the human psyche, eventually leading her to the realm of art therapy—a synthesis of her love for art and her desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, particularly children.
installation images by jeremy gryst
Charlotte’s artistic creations are a reflection of her inner world—a blend of the abstract and the figurative, populated by whimsical characters that echo the spirits of her childhood drawings.
Living with a chronic invisible illness and grappling with mental health struggles, Charlotte navigates the delicate dance between creativity and self-care. Through it all, art remains her anchor—a lifeline that sustains her through the storms.
In a world that often glorifies the myth of the Starving Artist, Charlotte challenges the notion that creativity must be synonymous with suffering. She advocates for a paradigm shift—a recognition of the inherent value of creators and their contributions to society.
For her, art and food are not just indulgences; they are essential nourishment for the human spirit—vessels of pleasure and portals to self-discovery.
Join us to find out What Charlotte Eats.
WHAT CHARLOTTE EATS
RECIPE IS ON IT’S WAY!
Charlotte was named after her Norwegian Grandmother from whom she got this gorgeous recipe. It’s something very nostalgic and reminds her of a beautiful time in her life and the people she loves. Until now it didn’t have a name but it is: white bread buttery jammy creamy sandwiches cut into squares
Recipe tips:
Cut your bread into squares for the traditional experience
Go for some good sourdough bread if that’s your thing
Picture this: slices of freshly baked sourdough bread, adorned with a generous layer of creamy butter and a dollop of sweet, homemade jam.
MADE THIS RECIPE? TAG US AND SHARE THE FUN
#CHARLOTTESSANDWICHES #WHATARTISTSEAT
LINKS & MENTIONS
LINKS TO ARTIST INFORMATION, RESOURCES AND ANYTHING ELSE WE CHATTED ABOUT
FLOW
‘Flow’ was painted in 2020 as part of the ‘meet me at the crossing’ exhibition.
INFORMATION AND TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR CHAT
The Brian Eno offerings that Charlotte loves are Apollo and Thursday Afternoon
Charlotte’s favourite studio snacks: licorice, dates (they’re good for energy), seaweed snacks, Cheds and miso soup
Sometimes able bodied folks forget that some environments and event durations are very difficult for people living with disabilities and chronic illness. For supporting friends who live with a chronic illness, Charlotte recommends asking them: “What’s the best way that we can hang out that also supports you?”
Charlotte finds that the hardest part of being an artist is the dance between “What am I doing?” and “I feel amazing and everything is amazing”
To support her mental health, Charlotte goes on “stupid walks for her stupid mental health”, gets lots of sleep, bouldering, going for a walk by the river, eating properly and not spending too much time alone