bio

A BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH (Artist's Statement)

The diversity of his life and professional experience has given Charles Harrington a unique and perhaps unconventional perspective on the world of fine art. After earning two degrees in architecture from the University of Arkansas, he spent 15 years as a practicing architectural designer and illustrator. It was during this time that he realized his first love had always been fine art.

He then returned to academia, earning a Master of Architecture degree from Oklahoma State University. Upon graduating, Charles accepted a faculty position with the School of Art and Architecture at Louisiana Tech University, teaching architecture courses as well as drawing and water-media painting. Finally he was able to indulge in both of his passions -- fine art and architecture -- in the same venue. Charles taught for 23 years before leaving Louisiana Tech in 2003 to pursue fine art full time. He now devotes his time to painting, writing, and conducting painting workshops.

Charles Harrington is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society and the International Society of Acrylic Painters (formerly the National Acrylic Painter's Association). His work has been shown in the American Watercolor Society, National Acrylic Painters Association, The International Society of Acrylic Painters, The National Society of Painters in Casein & Acrylic (Silver Medal), The American Artist's Professional League, Allied Artists of America, Watercolor USA, The National Oil and Acrylic Painter's Society, Arts for the Parks top 100, and numerous regional exhibitions. Publications include American Artist Magazine's Watercolor 88, Watercolor Magic's Autumn 1996 edition, and Artist's Magazine's February 2005 edition.

His first book, Acrylics: The Watercolor Alternative, was released by North Light Books, August 2005.

ARTIST'S STATEMENT

I am primarily a landscape painter. It is in the beauty and the complexities of my natural environment that I find inspiration for most of my paintings; however, my academic and practical experience in architecture gives me an appreciation for and a fascination with the built environment and it's partnership with the natural. As a result, many of my paintings will include buildings or other evidence of man's contribution to his environment. Throughout history man has created his "places" of shelter, worship, recreation, commerce, etc. within, and hopefully in harmony with, his natural environment. I find this combination of natural and man-made subjects replete with inspiration for paintings.

Although I often find a metaphoric message or a story to be told in a specific natural or man-made subject, my objective is more often to simply share a moment, a mood, or the beauty of a "place". It is my hope that the inspiration and the depth of feeling that motivated me to paint a particular subject will resonate with the viewer in a meaningful way.

Charles Harrington