![[The Artist Au-Natural]](cflaggss.gif)
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A Style All His Own
The most unforgettable character I've ever met? Perhaps not the only one, but true to Webster's definition: an eccentric person; moral strength;status. He defines himself as first a capitalist, and secondly an artist. You have to meet Charlie Flagg. I met him at the Wyoming County Fair, purposely, intrigued by his paintings I had seen, consisting of mostly forest and mountain scenes, including wildlife. Upon close inspection, one would assume Charlie's paintings were done from a pallet of fine oils, stroked from the tip of an artist's brush. Well, scratch that! Take off your beret, flip open a can of latex house paint, grab any old brush, and meet Charlie Flagg painting!
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At age 39 (keep in mind this was only 12 years ago) Charlie put aside his other endeavors and started painting. I was familiar with his scenic views he painted on saw blades of all sizes, circular and otherwise, adorning walls of homes, barns and offices. A most impressive mural many of you may have seen is on a 45-foot tractor trailer belonging to Evertt and Joan Copeland of Gainesville, NY . Both sides of the trailer are completely adorned with the handiwork of Mr. Flagg which took 45 hours to complete. What a sight to see as you're driving down the highway!
Charlie has sold to date over 20,000 of his paintings and estimates 50,000 people from North America to Europe, see his paintings daily. Fifteen states boast his murals and one can even see his work in Bavaria.
The smallest mural painting Charlie has ever done? A pair of earrings. His largest? A 200 feet long, 14 feet high, building mural on Route 33 in Corfu (Sterling Tent). You may have wondered who painted all those murals in the Darien/Corfu area. Now you know. Charlie always has time to talk, and talk he will about anything. He has traveled extensively and can tell you about the museums in London and details the fine arts to threads, as if you were there. Pretentious he's not, but ego, he openly admits, he has.
His big dream? One final challenge before he lays down his brush---Charlie wants to paint a wall. A great wall. A wall at least 1/4 mile long and 30 feet high that will give a message to those viewing it. It doesn't matter where the wall is, as long as people can view it, touch it, and be inspired by it. He estimates that the construction and painting of such a wall would take him a year to complete.
Some people have dreams. Some people make their dreams happen. I bet Charlie Flagg is one who makes his dream happen.
| Born : | 1943 in Buffalo, New York |
| Occupation: | Artist |
| Life Motto: | "Live and let live." |
| Favorite Artist: | Norman Rockwell |
| Pet Peeve: | Pretentious people. |
| What he'd like people to know about him: | "I like to make people happy." |
For more of Charlie's work have a look and click on any thumbnail to view a larger JPG. For more of Charlie's adventures and a chance to purchase some of Charlie's art read on.
Last Up-Date
11/03/09
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