Hello
I’m Charlie Jamieson, a fine artist from the UK.
The themes of connection, emotional expression, shared history and hope are central to my art. I find it endlessly inspiring that humans have been using marks to express thoughts and ideas for more than 65,000 years. Having studied archaeology and anthropology at university, I’m fascinated by those who came before us and often find myself drawn to an interestingly shaped hill or the beach at high tide, hoping to discover whispers of the past through physical clues. These shapes and ideas then act as the starting point for my paintings, along with zig zags, lines and crosses, borrowed from the earliest examples of ancient art.
At the start of my painting process, although I spend lots of time exploring the landscape and learning about history there is never a clear plan for what the final piece will look like. Much like an archaeological excavation, there is no way of knowing what will be unearthed once I begin. I work intuitively with layers of mixed media, often scratching back as I go, to reveal hints of earlier stages. As well as brushes, I paint with all kinds of tools, particularly my hands and sticks. I love the energy and sense of shared history this creates; the medium may have changed but the pigments and tools have remained the same for thousands of years.
As well as being rooted in history, my work is heavily influenced by emotion. After university I spent many years running projects seeking to combat isolation and loneliness in the community. During that time I had the privilege of hearing hundreds of people of all ages share stories of pain, adversity, resilience, happiness and hope. A recurring recipe shared for joy in the face of challenge was the importance of trying to find the beauty in what’s in front of you, whatever that situation might be. That is what painting encourages me to do. Having not painted for twelve years, I returned to art in early 2022, after my Mum suffered a life-altering stroke. Experimenting with mixed media provided enormous solace, allowing me to untangle, identify and process my feelings. I know a piece is finished when the meaning or concept which has been whirring along in the back of my mind finally surfaces. At that point, a title will emerge, helping me to understand what it’s all been about.
Collector testimonials
“We love Charlie’s work. We have a piece in our hallway and always get compliments. It never fails to give a sense of joy when we return home.”
Toria, London
“Charlie’s work has a real emotive depth. Her incredible eye for composition and colour results in pieces which capture the imagination of the viewer, whilst also complementing their surroundings. My painting sits proudly in my bedroom, radiating calm.”
Rory, London