R&F Handmade Paints

Artist Bio

Charles Forsberg is a self-taught abstract painter currently based in Berlin. Charles paints with his hands, using R&F paints. He grew up in northern British Columbia, Canada. As a child, he was deeply impacted by watching his mother paint. Before relocating to France two years ago, he spent a dozen years in Vancouver. He worked as a docent at the Vancouver Art Gallery, giving educational tours. During this time, he was heavily influenced by curators and other artists. In Berlin, he continues a 15-year tradition of mounting self-funded, independent painting shows. He has also collaborated on large-scale set design for Ballet British Columbia and the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts.

Artist Statement

Using R&F pigment sticks exclusively, Charles Forsberg paints with his hands. He feels his abstract painting style has been influenced and affected by these paints. When beginning a new work, he has no preconceived notion of how it will end up. His intention is simply to convey a feeling or spirit. Borrowing from natural, organic forms and the condition of light, he paints intuitively. He continually builds on references from painters of the past, and at times, includes historical references to painting and abstraction. He has great interest in the physical act of painting - how the paint is handled, and mark making. Most important to his process is that everything occurs on the painted surface - unlike traditional methods where a sketch is made, and paint is mixed on a palette prior to application. Beginning with a blank canvas, he borrows and keeps certain elements as he goes, removes others, and repeats the process until layers of history are evident.

Resume

coming Soon