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Biography:
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“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 is an artist living in between the Sierra Mountains and the high plains desert of Nevada. 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 at the 2008 Heritage Art Exhibition presented by Joan Irving Smith as well as the Collector’s Choice Award at the 2008 and 2005 Maynard Dixon Country Invitational. Charles was awarded the First Place Award and ”Best Painting of the Cove“ Award at the 2007 and 2005 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 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.”
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