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Charles grew up in Chicago, Illinois and graduated from the American Academy of Art. After graduating he started working as an illustrator photographer for major advertisers, eventually accepting a position as an art director with a multinational agency.
He was later transferred to Brazil, to direct the T.V department and direct television commercials. At first it was hard to find time to paint, but he always managed some spare time.Eventually when time permitted he laterally pursued an interest in art and antiques. This passion took him on numerous trips to Europe, visiting museums and galleries. This continued for many years until his desire to paint and to work full time with art and antiques took over completely. At this point he left advertising and started working as a “marchand”, buying and selling art, doing appraisals and often taking pieces to New York or London to sell. This contact with the “art world” brought about the realization that his true fulfillment come from painting, and upon returning to the United States he started painting full time.
His work was promptly well received. Through numerous shows and exhibitions his paintings won recognition among collectors and the art conscious public. Gibson’s work is now represented by galleries in Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida, and by “marchands” in Brazil. He has paintings in corporate and private collections throughout the United States, Europe and South America and now devotes full time to painting from his Florida home studio.
Gibson’s style consists of contemporary landscapes and abstracts in oil, acrylic, oil pastel and collage. The keynote of his painting is color, however compositions and textures are also very important. Being a colorist his landscapes embrace bold vibrant colors, often depicting lush autumn scenes of trees and fields, offering a different impression of nature. This perception of color is an expression of his imagination, a new way to see things different than how we are conditioned to seeing.
He started painting abstracts at the request of designers, who admired his colors, but needed
something less figurative. It was a positive request, because he enjoys doing the abstracts. The abstracts usually incorporate richly textured surfaces, at times invoking a feeling of wanting to reach out to touch them.
While doing a show, it’s common for a viewer, or client, to remark how “good” they feel around his paintings, especially the landscapes, which seem to have a serene energy bringing out the best emotions they have inside.
Artist Statement
Color is the keynote of my paintings, which consist of contemporary landscapes and abstracts in oil and acrylic, generally embracing vibrant colors. Frequently I begin with an oil pastel sketch which enables me to approach the final painting with a clear vision. I have a passion for the colors of autumn and try to express this in my depictions of rich fall scenes. The paintings often go beyond traditional boundaries, a different expression of nature. I’m concerned with creating something different for the viewers, a way to see the art in an unconventional way other than the reality to which they have become accustomed.
The paintings are usually executed on a textured canvas with either oil or acrylic. In the case of abstracts, collage is frequently applied to achieve an interesting array of textures and a strong use of colors. The comments that I customarily receive at shows are very fulfilling, especially regarding the landscapes, which people find very soothing and positive. Being able to do something that brings me pleasure and simultaneously gives the viewer a lift, a positive feeling, leads me to believe I have accomplished my objective.
- “Many artists paint for themselves, I obtain pleasure from painting for the viewer’s appreciation”.
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