Charles Barr

Original Oil Paintings

Biography
 
I am a Washington based artist working with oil on canvas. My paintings are representational in style, usually featuring people.  People tend to evoke emotion and draw interest to a piece.  As a backdrop to the subject matter I usually include locations I have visited or wish to visit in the future.  The greatest influence in my style comes from the years spent practicing through still life and model studies.  These exercises stressed the importance of disciplined drawing skills as a foundation for a successful painting. Many of my paintings incorporate movement and action, whether in regards to the subject matter or the style in which it was conceived.  The paintings are meant to set a mood or evoke emotion.  The pieces seldom reflect social statements and any social interpretation should be subtle at best.  I appreciate the timelessness and tradition of oil as a painting medium.  It is a welcome departure from the technology that has become a part of our daily lives.

My goal is to create pieces ranging from representational to abstract with a focus on color, contrast, and balance.  I do not want the quality of the painting to diminish whether viewed from ten feet or eight inches.  I believe it is crucial to use texture and creative brush techniques to hold a viewers attention up close.  It is also necessary to have a strong composition to hold the viewers interest at a greater distance. The most common techniques I utilize are scumble, drybrush, and colored glaze.  I rarely wet blend the oils or leave flat areas of color.  Every inch of the canvas should have movement without sacrificing the overall composition.  I enjoy working with oil because of the depth and texture that can be achieved.  People continually want to reach out and feel the canvas.