Mark Charman
I am a music fanatic, artist, illustrator and graphic designer living in Cornwall, UK. This website is dedicated to a series of original paintings that I have been wanting to start for many years.
I was born in 1967 and grew up hearing the most incredible music being played by my father, Rodney Charman (World renowned marine artist) in his studio or in the car. I also regularly overheard the ‘Old Grey Whistle Test’ as I lay in bed late at night. In my early teenage years I raided my father’s collection of vinyl albums and whilst my friends were listening to 80s chart music I was absorbed by the music of The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Yes, Pink Floyd, CSNY, Deep Purple, Cream, Jefferson Airplane and so on … the more I heard, the more I wanted.
As the years went on I built up my own huge music collection, predominantly 1950s to 1970s, expanding my tastes to include everything from early Doo Wop, Skiffle and Rock ‘n’ Roll, through Blues, 60s Pop, Beat, Folk, Jazz, Psychaedelia, Prog Rock and into Classic Rock, Heavy Metal and Glam Rock and anything in between.
It is the lyrics of many of these songs that have inspired me to put paint onto canvas and attempt to create a visual representation of the visions that these songs evoke. I hope that my love of these songs and the emotions they create will be faithfully portrayed within the images I create.
After leaving school in 1983 I studied design, illustration and commercial art at Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design, leaving with a distinction grade Higher National Diploma. During my professional career I have worked in advertising, marketing, graphic design, printing and fine art as well as a freelance illustrator and commercial artist, during which time much of my artwork has been published in childrens books, wildlife publications, greeting cards, prints and other gift products. I currently work for Exeter based Freebird Media, a design and marketing company which I co-founded in 2006.
You can see examples of my commercial art, illustrations and product designs at www.artist-southwest.com
In recent years I have written for music magazines and websites, music reviews of re-issued classic albums and archive recordings released by labels such as Cherry Red Records, Sanctuary, Ace, BGO, Revola, Angel Air and RPM among others.
I now live in the heart of beautiful North Cornwall with my fiance Dorota who is my inspiration and encouragement and I dedicate this collection of art to her. The dramatic scenery of Cornwall as well as regular trips to Eastern Europe provide additional inspiration for many other paintings.
I hope you will also find inspiration in my artwork, which I intend to expand into an impressive classic rock paintings collection. Please contact me if you require further information or would like to be kept up to date with the progress of this project.
The Inspiration
For over 30 years I have been listening to and expanding my collection of music spanning all genres and many eras, mainly the 1950s through to the 1970s. I have always been moved by lyrics, some of the most beautiful, poignant words ever written. Often making strong political comments relating to the era in which they were written, others simply rejoicing in love, peace and human kindness. Some achingly beautiful, others painfully sad, still others simply ‘off this planet’ but all capable of evoking strong emotions.
The visions that I see in my mind when I hear these songs have inspired me to create a series of classic rock paintings in which I hope to commit to canvas a lasting visual image inspired by these songs.
If anyone out there is equally inspired, the unique original paintings are available to purchase. Reproduction canvas prints are also available.
If you would like to be kept up to date regarding this exciting project please email me to express your interest
Mark Charman,
Artist