“My goal is to be a pure painter. I want to put pigment on canvas in a way that captures the emotions of my visual experience while satisfying the demands of my intellect.”

-Charles Muench

Charles Muench is an artist living in the Sierra town of Markleeville, CA. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts-with great distinction degree from San Jose State University. He studied primarily under Maynard D. Stewart, a student of Frank Vincent DuMonds and the son of renowned Utah landscape painter, LeConte Stewart. After receiving his degree, Charles attended classes at the Art Students League with David Leffel, Michael Burban, Jack Faragasso, and others. In 1992, Charles moved to Madrid, Spain, where he painted the city and countryside, studied Velasquez, copied master works in the Prado, and attended classes at the Circulo Bellas Artes.

Charles is featured in the June 2007 issue of Southwest Art magazine as well as the May 2005 issue of Plein Air magazine. He is also featured in the June 2003 issue of Southwest Art.

Charles received the First Place Award and “Best Painting of the Cove” Award at the 2007 Crystal Cove Alliance Invitational in Laguna Beach, CA. He also was honored with the Best of Show/Artist’s Choice Award at the 2006 Telluride Plein Air Show. Charles was awarded the Collector’s Choice Award at the 2005 Maynard Dixon Country Invitational as well as the Best Painting of the Cove Award at the 2005 Crystal Cove Alliance Invitational in Laguna Beach, CA. He also received the Gold Medal Award at the San Luis Obispo Plein Air Event in October 2002. Charles has had his work included in the Arts for the Parks Top 100 Exhibit. His work is accepted annually in the California Art Club’s Annual Gold Medal Exhibit and the Gilcrease Museum’s American Art in Miniature Exhibition.

“Painting is eminently fascinating. I derive inspiration from Velasquez, Sargent, Sorolla, Zorn, Payne, and many others. The basic concepts of painting are relatively simple to comprehend. The subtle variations, which have enticed and challenged great minds throughout history, are what fuel my fire. Brushstrokes are the footprints of the artist’s emotions. In putting pigment on canvas, I strive for the same honesty and trueness of a Johnny Cash song.”

-Charles Muench

BORN 1966

EDUCATION

• Circulo Bellas Artes, Madrid, Spain
• Art Students League of New York, New York City. Instructors: David Leffel, Jack Faragasso, Michael Burban
• National Academy of Design, New York City. Instructors: James Childs, Leo Neufeld.
• Private Instruction with Michael Aviano, New York City.
• Sheffield Polytechnic University, Sheffield England. Instructor: Martin Pritchard R.A.
• San Jose State University, San Jose, CA. Bachelor of Fine Arts- with great distinction, Painting. Instructor: Maynard D. Stewart.

AFFILIATIONS

• California Art Club, Artist Member.
• Oil Painter of America, Signature Member.

ARTICLES

• Southwest Art, “My World,” Feature Article, June 2007.
• Plein Air Magazine, “Artist’s Profile,” Feature Article, May 2005.
• International Artist, “Master Painters of the World,” Aug/Sept 2003.
• Southwest Art, “A Man for all Seasons,” Feature Article, June 2003.
• Southwest Art, “The Feminine Form,” November 2001.
• Southwest Art, “Artists to Watch,” November, 2000.

EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS

• 2008 Mountain Grandeur- Paintings of the Sierra and San Gabriels, One Man Show, Galerie Gabrie, Pasadena, CA.
• 2008-1999 Maynard Dixon Country Annual Exhibition. Maynard Dixon Estate, Mt. Carmel, UT. 2005 Patrons Choice Award.
• 2007 From the Sierra to the Sea, One Man Show, Galerie Gabrie, Pasadena, CA.
• 2007 Best of Show/Best Painting of the Cove Award, Crystal Cove Exhibition, Laguna Beach, CA.
• 2007-2002 American Art in Miniature, Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa OK.
• 2006 Best of Show/Artist’s Choice Award, Telluride Plein Air, 2006. Telluride, CO.
• 2007-2004 Telluride Plein Air, Telluride, CO.
• 2008-2002 California Art Club’s Annual Gold Medal Exhibition. Pasadena Museum of Art, Pasadena, CA.
• 2006-2003 Laguna Plein Air Painters Invitational, Laguna Beach, CA.
• 2003 Canyon De Chelly Show, Trailside Galleries, Scottsdale, AZ.
• 2003 C.M. Russell Museum Auction of Western Art, C.M Russell Museum, Great Falls, MT.
• 2004-2003 Settlers West American Miniatures Show, Settlers West, Tucson, AZ.
• 2003-2002 San Luis Obispo Plein Air Event, San Luis Obispo, CA. 2002 Gold Medal Award.
• 2002 A California Year- One Man Exhibit. The Vault Gallery, Sonora, CA.
• 2002 Desert Plein Air Exhibit. La Quinta, CA. Poster Artist Award for 2003 Event.
• 2001-1999 Oil Painter of America National Exhibit Various Locations. 1999 Award of Excellence.
• 2001 Best and the Brightest Exhibit Scottsdale Artists School, Scottsdale, AZ.
• 2000-1998 The Artist’s Magazine Annual Art Competition. Finalist, Portrait Category and Still Life Category.
• 2003-2000 Arts for the Parks Top 200 Exhibit. Jackson, WY.
• 1999 Arts for the Parks Top 100 Exhibit. Jackson, WY.
• 1999 American Artist’s Professional League 71st National Exhibition. Salmagundi Club, New York City. Ridgewood Art Institute Award.
• 1998 Salmagundi Club 21st Annual Exhibition. Salmagundi Club, New York City. American Artists Professional League Award.
• 1996 American Contemporaries. Wally Findlay Galleries, Chicago, IL.
• 1994 One Man Show- Recent Paintings. Bingham Gallery, San Jose, CA.
• 1992 One Man Show- Paintings of Madrid. Galleria Concha Sedeno, Madrid, Spain.
• 1989 Art Students League Concourse Exhibition. New York City, Merit Award.