Charlie Edmiston

“Add some color.” Painter Charlie Edmiston considers that the best advice he’s ever received. Looking at his vibrant work, it is obvious he took the advice to heart (and, ahem, to his work). Charlie’s murals, large-scale prints, and paintings use unexpected color combinations and bold shapes to create electrifying compositions. Like one of his creative role models, Ellsworth Kelly, Charlie celebrates the simplicity of basic shapes and hues. Learn more about this exciting painter in his 10 ANSWERS below.

1. How would you describe your work in three words?
CMYK. RGB. Grayscale. That might seem like a very abstract answer but they represent the different “genres” of art I take part in quite nicely.

2. Who is your creative role model?
To name a few . . . I have always been inspired by my dad’s drawings from when he was a teenager and now recently his flawless calligraphy. In the abstract painting world my creative role models would be: Tim Bavington, Ellsworth Kelly, Andy Moses, Mark Strassner and Push . . . lastly, one of my favorite artists overall is the one and only Rene Magritte.

3. If you had an extra hour each day what would you do with it?
Draw, skateboard, sleep . . . I would rotate daily.

4. What place in the world most inspires you and why?
I have been to almost 30 different countries and countless cities so far and there is no place I would rather be than Los Angeles. My inspiration ranges from the friends and family I’ve grown up with to just everything I see and do and people I meet on a day-to-day basis. LA has everything I know and love.

5. If you could do a different job for a day what would it be and why?
It would be pretty sweet to be a professional basketball player for a day. Do I have to explain why?

6. What is your favorite homemade gift to give?
Hand drawn thank you/birthday/graduation/holiday cards. They seem to make an unbelievable last minute gift.

7. What is your favorite object in your home?
The rabbit farm located on the side of my house.

8. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Add some color.”

9. What websites do you use for inspiration?
I often look at a few different design sites like thecoolhunter.net and swiss-miss.com and for upcoming events etc. I visit my friend’s blog knowngallery.com.

10. When do you consider a piece of your work complete?
Once it’s framed and I can’t add to it anymore.