Charles Waldman

Born in 1949 in Oakland and raised in nearby Lafayette, Charles Waldman developed an early interest in art. However, this budding inclination eventually took a backseat to the completion of a medical degree from UC Davis. Starting in 1978, and for the next 22 years, Dr. Waldman established a practice in Family Medicine and raised his family in Sonora, California, pursuing his painting in between his many commitments. His artistic training began in 1988 and has included studies with Clyde Aspevig and Ted Goerschner en plein air (painting on location). He left his practice in 1999 and opened his life full time to the art of painting.

The artist paints outdoors in the Sierras, the California foothills, along the Northern California coast and in other parts of the West. He also finds time to teach three to four workshops per year and to participate in several invitational plein-air events. Most importantly, this time to devote himself exclusively to painting has resulted in an ongoing growth that Waldman is delighted to see emerge in his work.

"I’m now able to paint more frequently on location and this has, consequently, opened my eyes to new and wonderful sites. As an artist, you begin to see a world that others often pass by without noticing. It’s a joy to bring these to life on the canvas. I think there's more freshness in my work now, and this is something that I’ve always sought. I’d say that this development even includes the larger pieces that I have done in the studio from the plein-air work. This makes me feel that I made the right decision. I love the art life. It’s a great gift to be an artist. You really see the world and find beauty that the casual observer overlooks."