Artist in conversation: Charlie Hiscock
“ painting and performing is a creative entanglement that I find myself in, and I wouldn't want for anything in the world to get out of this knot that I proudly got myself into. ”
Having achieved A* at A Levels in school, Charlie decided to explore the world and incorporate their experiences into their art, translating as much as possible through different mediums. Following in the footsteps of his late grandfather, who was an artist, Charlie found a deep connection with oil paints. This medium, known for its versatility and capacity for expressionism, became his favourite, providing a powerful way to channel inner emotions.
As someone who captures live moments in your life through painting, how do you balance the spontaneity of life's moments with the intentional process of creating art?
If I’m able too and have my tools to hand, I will happily capture a landscape/ moment, whilst doing so making sure to capture every movement that can be seen high to low or even in the peripheral vision. If that is something that’s unable to happen, with the advancement of modern technology, the live capture feature of taking pictures on your iPhone is a fantastic way of making sure you capture that some movement. However more often than not, the most alive moments in paintings are the little tiny intricate details that we all miss on a daily basis. Let it be a little glimmer in the eye, the smallest wrinkle on the edge of a smile, or a ray of sunlight. So to be able to capture those little moments in a freezing frame and keep them forever is priceless.
In what ways do you see your art evolving over time, and are there any new techniques or styles you're currently exploring or planning to explore in your future works?
The more I do art, the more I evolve without even knowing it. Currently at the moment I am liking really using the rough edges of oil paints, as over the years I have always used them very intricately like gouache paint. Their bold colours tend to shine through. I also find myself gravitating towards new artists I discover when travelling and trying to learn from them. My two most recent discoveries whose art I can see myself adapting towards are William Reinsch and Junar Rodriguez who I recently discovered when I travelled over to Chicago. Both styles are equally contrasting however tickle a certain area of my brain and get my mind rolling in questions.
Can you share with us some specific instances or experiences in your life that have served as inspirations for your artwork, and how you translated them onto the canvas?
A couple of core stand out memories for me are from when I was a child. I remember going to my grandparents house and seeing the most beautiful use of watercolours, but of course at the time I had no idea what watercolours were, it was of a beautiful valley. A mountain range with a river running freely through the middle of them, it wasn’t until my Grandma told me that my Grandfather did this piece I was truly taken aback and I think really fuelled my fire for trying my hand at artwork. ‘Anything is possible’ type of moment. A more recent experience, when I went to Chicago and visited the Art institute of Chicago, and seeing pieces of art I had only seen online. Being able to see up close and personal how well they captured moments of each artist’s time, let it be from the 1700s to the 2000s you can really feel yourself teleported to that specific era. The excessive use of oils and seeing how well they can tell a story is what fuels me to keep using them and make my own imprint/ style that can create a story.
As an artist who also has a background in acting, do you find any parallels between the creative processes of painting and performing, and if so, how do these two aspects of your artistic identity intersect?
They are both truly beautiful ways of expressing yourself. One really excels in expressing physically however the mental capacity of expressing can sometimes be expressed more profoundly through art. They are both able to make people feel something. Let it be laughter or sadness. Both through a physical format. People can watch you perform and feel an array of emotions, and people can look at your art and feel a deepening sadness. It’s a creative entanglement that I find myself in, and I would not for the world, want to be pulled out of this knot I have proudly got myself into.
You mention that your grandfather played a significant role in your artistic development, having taught art for many years. How do you feel his teachings and influence have shaped not only your technical skills but also your perspective and approach to art as a means of expression?
My Grandfather and I both excel in different areas I like to believe. He was a wizard with watercolours, truly unmatched whereas I can’t get away from using oil paints. I would remember him doing a picturesque portrait of myself when I was younger and being truly inspire by the facial features matching up to mine own. From there I found a love of portrait paintings. My Grandfather left a creative legacy in our family, his teachings influenced my mother and then of course passed it down to her children to both my sister and myself. It is truly a legacy I am willing to carry on tenfold into the future.