Charles Sanderson

About

Charles Sanderson is a mixed media artist, working in oil, watercolour, gouache, etching, printing and occasional sculpting. The subject matter of his work ranges from people's daily routines, such as cafe scenes, to still life and landscape.
Charles was born in 1949. Growing up in Ecclestone Square Charles split his childhood between London and the countryside, having been taught in both Winchester and Somerset. In his late teens he studied at Byam Shaw School of Art between 1967 and 1970 and was supported by the artist Ruskin Spear. Charles continued his art at Hammersmith College till 1971. During this time he gleaned inspiration from Ken Howard’s landscapes. This shaped his colour pallet to be duskier, and he worked mainly in greys and blues. However as he grew as an artist influenced by David Hockney’s landscapes, his love for bold colours flourished. Having a passion for European art he went on to spend a year in Paris under the mentorship of fellow artist.
At a crossroads in his life Charles would decide whether to join the clergy or pursue his art. His paternal Grandmother, always an advocate of his work, encouraged him to practise painting and Charles continued the route of an artist. Charles still retains his love for the church and has sung in a choir for the last six years. He sold pieces to contribute towards restorations of churches and produced a series of commissions for St Christopher’s Hospice in Crystal Palace.
Charles is fascinated by the everyday. People huddled over their coffees in station cafés, the hurriedness of others trying to get to their next destination. He encapsulates that in his bright Paris scenes. This is juxtaposed against his peaceful landscapes and still life, where the rushing of life comes to rest.