Charlotte Allison's entrance into the formal arts began at age 17 with a correspondence course, which led her to pursue a formal education in the arts. She earned an AA from Prince George's Community College in 1988 and a BA from the University of Maryland in 1991.

Her artistic inspiration and style gained their roots during her formative years in Europe with her father, a member of the U.S. Air Force originally from Tennessee, and her mother, a native of Holland. Today, she is married to a member of the U.S. Air Force, which at varying times brings great hardship as well as joy to her life and art.

She has been teaching art since 1997 as an adjunct faculty member for Prince Georges Community College and has also led workshops in drawing and painting in the local area.

Her intent with her art is two-fold: on one side of the coin it gives both the viewer and herself the opportunity to escape "life"; and the other is subtle humor, using words and images to show that "life" is not always as it seems.