Charles Bluett
Charles, or Charlie as he prefers to be called, originally hails from England. He studied art and art history at Windsor's illustrious Eton College before turning towards the world of business. Endlessly creative even then, Charlie embarked on a series of start-up ventures, all of which he sees as important evolutions in the path that brought him where he is today and gave him the courage to consider taking up painting full time. An avid sea-glass collector and coastal wanderer, Charlie's work is a meditation on the ebb and flow of the natural world, the evolution of the seasons and the way all of it fits together into a mystical whole.
His technique is that of the abstract color field, a contemporary technique which embraces the transparencies of washes of color. His works are meditative and peaceful, playing with the sensation of color and the expansion of the field of view. He writes that:
“Overall I want to create a sense of ethereality and calm, and yet a moment of beauty and relaxation. In our busy lives it can be hard to do enough, and we often don’t have the time to stop and fully appreciate. Like a great book, movie or piece of music, the work should allow a person to step away from reality and switch off the distractions all around us. It should bring the viewer to a moment in time of total calm that simply brings them joy.”
And his works do just that. The colors and play with form and transparency exude a peace that is in no way undermined by the contemporary nature of the work. The skill of the layering - one sheer color over another - is as endlessly studiable and fascinating as the most detailed still life. Bluett's familiarity with the old masters and the heavy hitters of conceptual art is on display in his work with clear influence taken from the likes of Andy Goldsworthy and Mark Rothko.
The Joy of the Early Bird, 48x48
Charlie had his first show at the Royal Academy of Arts in Piccadilly, London. This was followed by three highly successful solo exhibitions in London at Blains, The Bloxham Gallery & The Smith Street Gallery, all of which garnered him the attention and acclaim of some of England's most prolific collectors.
It's been a long and winding road for Charlie but, like the building up of translucent colors in his work, it would have been impossible to get where he is today had he not been able to build upon what came before. He sees his style as an ever evolving experiment, something which changes with the seasons and the own personal evolution of his life. He currently resides in Vermont where he is endlessly inspired by the changing scenery and the beauty of the natural world which surrounds him.
The Gathered Pile, 60x36