The Art of CHARLENE LANZEL

CHARLENE LANZEL was born on January 29th, 1967 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. She is the daughter of two artists and one of six children. Charlene began painting by age 5 and was published in an instruction book for elementary school art teachers by age 9. In 1985 she received the Senior Art Award and Art Scholarship from her high school in Onalaska, Wisconsin which she gave up to explore life on her own. After a short move to Minneapolis in 1985, the self-taught artist relocated to New York City in 1987 at the age of 20.

Charlene Lanzel began working professionally as an artist in 1988, when she joined the art department of lower Broadway's once notorious Unique Clothing Warehouse. Under the direction of artist Tracy Stum, her responsibilities included: mural painting, window displays, sign painting and props. The position had previously been held by Jean Michel Basquiat in 1979. When Tracy Stum relocated to Los Angeles in 1990, Charlene took over as Art Director of Unique Clothing Warehouse until 1991.

From 1991 to 1996, Charlene Lanzel worked in the jewelry industry. She was the production manager and design assistant for several jewelry designers, including: Jillery by Jill Fagin and Fahrenheit NY.

From 1996 to 2008, Charlene Lanzel was represented by one of the world's top mural painting companies, Silver Hill Atelier (formerly Modeworks). Under the direction of Norvel Hermanovski, Charlene has designed and painted murals for casinos, restaurants, retail stores, theatres and private residences worldwide. In 2006, Charlene’s gilding project at the Rodeph Shalom Temple in NYC won Sepp Leaf’s “Pride of Place Award” for Religious Gilding. Some other projects include: Planet Hollywood, Godiva Chocolatier, Hong Kong Disneyland, West Palm Beach Marriott, W Hotel Chicago, Mohegan Sun Casino, Nobu 57th St., Mesa Grill Las Vegas, Foxwoods Casino, Cheesecake Factory Restaurants and Disney's Tokyo Sea Resort, among others.

In 1999, Charlene Lanzel re-established her working relationship with Tracy Stum to paint Italian trompe l'oeil murals for the Venetian Casino in Las Vegas. The two artists also competed together at the prestigious XXVII Centro Italiano Madonnari Street Painting Festival in Mantova, Italy. They received bronze medals for their effort and appeared on the front page of the Gazetta Di Mantova newspaper, which stated they are, "...technically considered some of the best in the world...". In 2003, under Tracy’s art direction, they collaborated with several of the world's best street painters on a 70 foot reproduction of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling at the Youth In Arts Festival in San Rafael, CA.

As a fine artist, Charlene Lanzel is best known for her continuing series of Pin-Up Girls which she began painting in 1996. The sultry artist strives to immortalize her bevy of beautiful friends and shows her artwork at various lounges and galleries. For many years, Charlene was an avid night crawler and face on the New York nightlife scene. She had been moonlighting as a cigarette girl and go-go dancer in the city's hottest night spots. This introduced her to some of the most beautiful and sexy women in town. She felt they should be immortalized and began featuring her friends as the models in her paintings. She found these women to be confident, intelligent individuals; empowered by their femininity and sensuality. Charlene Lanzel has been influenced by a variety of imagery spanning many decades. In her work you'll catch glimpses of sophisticated style from the 1920's and 30's, the Pin-Up theme of the 40's and 50's and a Pop Art sensibility from the 60's. There's a natural, open sexuality from the 70's and campy glamour of the 1980's. You'll also find references to the 90's retro-lounge scene and a timeless sense of humor. Painted in acrylics, the nearly life-size figures virtually leap from the canvases. The full impact can best be appreciated in person.

Charlene Lanzel and her work have appeared in many publications, including: New York Magazine, About.com, Sex-Kitten.net and TimeOut NY Magazine. TimeOut has called her, "...extremely pin-up-able..." and "...lovely and talented...". In 1999, Charlene graced the cover of TimeOut's "Vice" issue as a devilish Pin-Up Girl painted by fellow Pin-Up artist Jason Freeny, which was voted best cover in 2005. Charlene has appeared on several television programs, including: Pet Silvia's "Malignant Muse" where she appeared as “Artist of the Week”, and on Andrew Einhorn's "Dog the Cat". Charlene was featured on two prime-time German television programs, "Peep" and "Vox", where she was interviewed about her artwork.

From 2000 to 2006, Charlene Lanzel performed in the company of world renowned comedian, Murray Hill, in the popular cabaret show, "The Murray Hill Show" with her dance duo "The Murrayettes" who were a Las Vegas-style showgirl dancing duo, complete with feather regalia. They performed at venues throughout New York City, including: The Slipper Room, Siren, Fez, Joe's Pub, Lot 61, Wigstock 2001, The Cutting Room and The Siren Music Festival at Coney Island. In addition, the show hosted the annual Miss Lower East Side Pageant. The Murrayettes appeared in numerous publications- The New York Post, Ocean Drive Magazine, The Village Voice, TimeOut NY Magazine, HX Magazine, The New York Blade, Go NYC and Velvet Park Magazine. Michael Musto from the Village Voice called them, "...vixens who sulk and pose through smoldering half-smiles."

In 2005, after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Charlene Lanzel produced "Katastrophe", a benefit that raised funds for New Orleans musicians, artists and performers affected by the storm. The NYC benefit, hosted by Mr. Murray Hill, included neo-burlesque stars such as: The Pontani Sisters, Dirty Martini, Bonnie Dunn, Little Brooklyn, Scarlett Sinclair, The Murrayettes and The Storyville Starlettes, among others. There were also top-notch bands: The NYC Blues Devils, Fisherman & The Flying Neutrinos.

In 2006, Charlene Lanzel launched a merchandise line featuring her Pin-Up Art calendar. With the help of Cafe Press, she also offers t-shirts, boxer shorts, mouse pads, coasters, coffee mugs, journals and much more with her unique Pin-Up Girl designs.

Most recently, in June 2008, Charlene Lanzel launched REVENIR JEWELS. Charlene collects and dismantles abandoned jewelry and pairs it with .925 Sterling Silver to create one-of-a-kind modern treasures.

Charlene Lanzel is a multi-faceted diamond who seems to shine at every point. Leaving no stone unturned, she keeps us wondering where she'll turn up next.... She currently resides between New York City and New Orleans with her husband, drummer Ronnie Magri, and their cat Pongo, and works as a freelance artist.