Charles Spratt artist
Bn 1938
At the ripe age of 40, Charles Spratt made a self-fulfilling pronouncement to his family and Graham Lochead, another budding artist and a close friend: It was time to make a try at becoming a serious artist - something that he had dreamed about since childhood. And, in a moment of pure serendipity, Grant Tigner, a renowned Ottawa artist and instructor, invited Charlie to go out painting with him in the countryside. That single painting experience, coupled with formative influences of growing up among farm fields and woodlands, and a natural gift for drawing, became a revelation of self-discovery. And determination.
Commitments to a growing family and business affairs remained first priorities. However, Charlie’s spare time was spent on night classes at the Ottawa School of Art and painting excursions with Grant - in the role of mentor. Besides Grant Tigner, other major influences, along the way, through personal contact, included Robert Genn (Vancouver), Betty Lou Schlem and Charles Movalli (Gloucester, MA) and Bruno Cote (Baie St. Paul, QC).
A growing reputation as an artist and instructor received the recognition of several Ontario Colleges and so began a period of teaching summer school classes in painting the landscape. Eventually, there was a demand for his paintings in galleries in Vancouver, Calgary, Markham, Manotick, (now Ottawa) and Baie St. Paul. By the time that Charlie, and his brother John, decided to sell the family business in 2000, Charlie was content to concentrate on painting. The journey to being a painter continues today, with the encouragement and support of his wife and partner, Patricia.
His work has led to acceptance in such prestigious organizations as the Ontario Society of Artists, the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour and the Society of Canadian Artists. In 2007 he was invited to represent Ontario, joining 9 nationally recognized artists from across Canada in a 10-day Symposium in Baie-St. Paul, QC. His painting, Dickinson Days, was purchased in Newfoundland during the subsequent cross-Canada traveling Exhibition. In 2016 he was awarded a lifetime membership in the Manotick Art Association in recognition of his contribution to the arts community.
Charles has won many awards for his work. He has served as president of the Ottawa Watercolour Society and the Manotick Art Association. He was co-founder of the long-running, National Capital Fine Art Festival and the Manotick Art Association juried show, Dam Art Show and was instrumental in forming Plein Air Ensemble, an out-door painting group, formed 30 years ago, that continues to offer twice-yearly painting trips for artists.
Charles continues to actively paint with a passion, discovering new ways of seeing and experiencing life through portraiture and landscapes. Each painting comes with his personal C.Spratt signature of approval, signifying that, in his words, “It is the truth”.
For listed information on the artist’s history of teaching, major art exhibitions and collections, please see: EXHIBITIONS/TEACHING
For the latest news on Plein Air Ensemble trips, Manotick Art Association Plein Air Excursions and upcoming shows, please see : NOTICE BOARD
Artist Statement
My art represents an artistic journey that began forty years ago. I have been fortunate to have painted with a number of nationally recognized Canadian and American artists and so many artist-friends who have helped to shape my art. Now, with years of plein-air painting experience, study and more than 30 solo exhibitions, I believe that my current work has reached its highest level, reflecting the depth of my absorption in the wonder and beauty of the world around me. I have learned that, as an artist, I will never stop looking for better ways to express my feelings in art and that struggling to more fully understand myself is integral to my painting; a philosophy that was part of every workshop I taught . . . still is!.
Using a plein air sketch painted on a field trip as reference, I progress to a large canvas in my studio where, through the process of painting, I explore a personal sense of spirituality while maintaining the freshness of the original impression.
I believe the value of my work is due to the quality and care put into each painting and the fact that each and every C.Spratt painting, that you find in private and corporate collections, is an original with an identifying catalogue number inscribed on the back.
Charles Spratt
Using a plein air sketch painted on a field trip as reference, I progress to a large canvas in my studio where, through the process of painting, I explore a personal sense of spirituality while maintaining the freshness of the original impression.
I believe the value of my work is due to the quality and care put into each painting and the fact that each and every C.Spratt painting, that you find in private and corporate collections, is an original with an identifying catalogue number inscribed on the back.
Charles Spratt
Charles Spratt is a past President and Fellow of the Ottawa Watercolour Society (OWS). He is an elected signature member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour (CSPWC), the Society of Canadian Artists (SCA), and the Ontario Society of Artists (OSA). He is a lifetime member of the Manotick Art Association (MAA).
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