For Charles, art is first and foremost a tool for human connection. When discussing his relationship to painting he does not focus on old masters. Instead, he shares the stories of his grandmother who bought him painting supplies as a child, an auntie who loved to draw and an uncle who taught him how to paint landscapes.

Charles returned to painting after a time where his creativity was mainly serving other people. His loved ones nurtured him and by extension his craft, giving him the confidence to pursue a creative career. However, the one-sided nature of commissions became draining for Charles. He grew tired of executing the visions of others and not seeing himself in his own creations. Charles’s return to painting symbolized a commitment to himself.

That commitment to authenticity creates an environment in which the viewer is able to do the same. These artworks often feature blurred and distorted figures, placing his perspective on display and encouraging those experiencing the work to question and share their own.Charles hopes engagement with his work will inspire others to create just as his family inspired him.