“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 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 received the first place award and "Best Painting of the Cove" Award at the 2007 Crystal Cove Alliance Invitational in Laguna Beach, CA. Charles received the Peoples Choice Award at the Maynard Dixon Country 2005 Invitational as well as the Crystal Cove Award at the 2005 Cystal Cove Alliance Invitaional. He also received the Best of Show/Artists Choice award at he 2006 Telluride Plein Air Exhibit. Charles is featured in the June 2007 issue of Southwest Art Magazine as well as the May 2005 issue of Plein Air Magazine. He has also been featured in the June 2003 issue of Southwest Art Magazine as well as in issue 32 of International Artist in their section on “Master Painters of the World- United States Showcase.” Charles received the Gold Medal Award at the San Luis Obispo Plein Air Event in October 2002. He has had his work included in the Arts for the Parks Top 100 Exhibit and was invited to participate in the Laguna Plein Air painting competition. He also received the “Poster Artist” award at the La Quinta Arts Foundation Desert Plein Air Event in 2002. His work has been accepted in the California Art Club’s Annual Gold Medal Exhibit and the Gilcrease Museum’s American Art in Miniature 2002 Exhibition. Charles Muench has won numerous awards, including the Award of Excellence from the Oil Painters of America. He is a Signature Member of that organization as well as an Artists Member of the California Art Club.

“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.”

Resume

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 Adacemy of Design, New York City.
Instructors: James Childs, Leo Neufeld.

Private Instruction with Michael Aviano, New York City.

Sheffield Polytechnical 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 June 2007

Plein Air, Endlessley Inspired by His Environment May 2005
Art of the West, "Painting the Canyon" November/December 2003
Art Talk, "Artists Painting Canyon De Chelly" November 2003
Southwest Art, "A Man for All Seasons," June 2003
International Artist, “Master Painters of the World- United States Showcase." Issue Number 32
Southwest Art, “The Feminine Form,” November 2001.
San Jose Mercury News, “Painting the Coyote Valley.”
Feature article, Sunday Living, April 8th, 2001.
Southwest Art, “Artists to Watch,” November, 2000.

EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS