OC Charlie Easton, Class of 1992, comes from a family of artists, but he didn’t think he’d be following in his family tradition until he moved to Canada in 2006 and fell in love with the awe-inspiring scenery that was his new back garden. Now a prolific painter of landscapes and seascapes in both oils and acrylics, Charlie is an award-winning artist, represented by galleries across North America and Europe where he regularly has solo exhibitions of his work. Click on the image above to see locations Charlie has painted in as well as his artwork.

We recently caught-up with Charlie…

What did you do after Caldicott?

After Caldicott, I went to Wellington College, and then Durham University, and then I went to work in advertising in London. After a few years there, I transferred within the industry to Vancouver, Canada, where I immediately fell in love with the insane mountain scenery and dramatic coastline and felt compelled to paint it. 

How did you become a professional artist?

Out here in Canada I felt less ‘on the treadmill’, and less compelled to conform to a typical life. And so, as painting and exploring became more of a priority for me, I decided to follow my passion. I gave up the ad game and focused on my art full time (a decision no doubt laced with the confidence instilled in me at an early age at Caldicott), and thankfully it has turned out to be a great decision. I now get to paint large-scale vistas in oil and acrylics and to make an unconventional career in the art world, travelling to peaks and islands to paint on-site. I often ask myself when I find myself somewhere super remote out here, “how on earth did a boy from the home counties get here?” 

What’s your USP?

In art, it’s very difficult to replicate someone else’s work, you end up creating your own style that is informed by all of your experiences and influences. For me, I get a huge amount from the natural world; and the closer I can get to my subject – both physically and mentally – the more honest and impactful my paintings are. I want the viewer to come hiking with me, to ski by my side, and to see the same stunning views that get me so excited to be alive. Optically, I’m fascinated by focus. How the eye latches onto just a few deeply moving elements within a landscape to create a simplified and evocative statement of place. And if someone walks into a gallery, sees my work and feels the same emotion that I’ve been able to convey, then that is such a cool non-verbal interaction.

What’s your key message for OCs and current Caldicotians?

Stay open - there are plenty of paths to career and personal happiness, and take risks - people gravitate to risk-takers and they want to support them…thankfully. If anyone is interested in a career in the arts, or in my art, give me a shout!  

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SOME OF CHARLIE'S LOCATIONS & ARTWORK

To see more of Charlie's work visit: charlieeaston.com

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