Early Artistic Beginnings
Childhood Artistic Pursuits
From an early age, John Charles showed a natural inclination towards art. His earliest memory involves filling giant A1 pads with drawings, particularly Disney and Dandy characters. His parents encouraged this passion by providing art supplies, and his primary school teacher, Miss Lomax (now Mrs Willis), played a crucial role in nurturing his talent.
The Transition from Hobby to Career
Initially, art remained a hobby for John, as he was unaware of its potential as a career. The turning point came after the passing of his friend David in 2013, who introduced him to professional artist Danny O’Connor. This connection inspired John to pursue art more seriously.
Overcoming Addiction Through Art
The Battle with Addiction
John’s struggle with addiction was a dark period in his life. Despite a good upbringing, he fell into the grip of alcohol and drugs. He found salvation through Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Cocaine Anonymous (CA), which helped him turn his life around.
Art as Therapy and Recovery
Art became a crucial part of John’s recovery process. It served as an outlet for his emotions and a means to help others battling addiction. Painting allowed him to express himself and find a sense of peace, often losing himself in the creative process.
Artistic Evolution and Success
Early Works and Style Development
John’s early works primarily focused on recreating Disney pieces. Over time, he developed his signature style, characterized by golden lines and palette knife techniques.
Breakthrough Moments
A pivotal moment in John’s career was his Joaquin Phoenix/Joker painting, purchased by comedian Paul Smith. This led to increased recognition, growing social media presence, and opportunities to share his story through various media channels.
Impact and Future Plans
Community Engagement
John’s art has enabled him to engage with the community, including speaking at schools and universities about addiction and recovery. He has also worked with Motiv8, running art classes for young adults with special needs.
Upcoming Projects
Current projects include a new collection featuring golden images and plans for an exhibition commemorating his volunteer work in Kenya.
Personal Reflections
The ‘Van Gogh of Liverpool’ Comparison
John feels honored by the comparison to Van Gogh, relating to the artist’s mental struggles and passion for painting.
Life Beyond Art
Outside of art, John enjoys weightlifting, watching Christmas movies year-round, and indulging in pizza.
Future Aspirations
John envisions opening his own appointment-only art gallery and studio, offering exclusive access to his work process for collectors of his original pieces.
For more information, visit John Charles’ website.
