T-Shirt Art Artists
Stephen Charlton
There is no better feeling than when we experience a lift of our spirit. When captured, that exquisite moment can transcend our external environment. To make people smile inside is the driving force behind the creatures I create. I embark on a journey to capture the essence of an animal, deliberately leaving detail to be filled in by the viewer.
Rather than create anatomical studies of my subjects, I observe behaviour, stance and character. Character is the essence of an individual. Whether mouse or elephant, character prevails. I’ve been good with my hands since I was six – you should have seen my highly acclaimed papier-mache totem pole at Junior school!
After gaining a degree at York College of Art and spending 25 years as a designer, creative director and business consultant, sculpture came back into my life.I was sculpting in my garage, I was 42. Its funny, forty years after the totem pole and I am still playing with plasticine and animal forms and still enjoying every minute!
As an observer of everything around me, with a sense of spacial awareness inherited from my father, I began to create my personal revelation, a joy and a channel to express my emotions through sculptural forms. A new world had opened up before me and within 2 years I was utilising my work into bronze. Now, I feel that I am at the foot of the stairs, always wanting to see more, learn more and share my inspiration and spontaneity with others.
Sculpture has given me a feeling of purpose, something that can be enjoyed by so many who will see and feel something for themselves. So, I will continue my quest. To take commissions and to tickle the insides of my audiences.
