Latvian-American Painter
RIGA, Latvia – I have lived a colorful life. I grew up in the downtown Los Angeles home of my mother and grandparents who fled Latvia in 1944. I received extensive piano training as a youth and have bachelor's and master's degrees in cultural anthropology and theology. My friends and family call me "Chuck."
My first vocation was that of a pastor. For 21 years, I served churches in California, Texas and Oregon. All the while I continued to develop my musical skills as a pianist and songwriter.
When the Soviet Union began to implode in the mid 80’s, I started visiting Latvia, first to provide encouragement and assistance for relatives. In 1994, I founded Bridge Builders International (BBI), a charity that builds partnerships between the US and Latvia to multiple areas of Latvian society…educational, spiritual, economic, health care and leadership development.
In the summer of 2004, I developed a friendship with Aleksejs Naumovs, Rector of the Latvian Academy of Art. I shared a private dream to learn to paint and asked Aleks if it was possible for a 50-year-old who never studied art, had poor handwriting and didn’t know how to draw, to learn to paint? Naumovs said it was possible if that 50-year-old had the right master. “Last year I taught our Prime Minister to paint; this year I’ll teach you.”
I was thrilled. Two months later I began to study with Naumovs. A few months later, I began to study with the renowned Latvian master, Kaspars Zarins, also a professor at the Latvian Art Academy.
Since I am a theologian, some ask me if I paints for religious purposes. I believe I was made in the image of God who is the author of creativity and beauty. When I use my creative gifts to make something beautiful, I believe that God is pleased. I want everything I do, including painting, to honor God. I don't have to paint religious themes to communicate the life, joy, creativity and beauty that God has given me. This means that I am free to embrace and express beauty any way I feel. This freedom is a gift from God.
Artistically, I have created more than 400 paintings since 1994 and have had numerous exhibitions in the USA, Latvia and Estonia. My works are in private collections in many countries around the world.
I love bringing people together so it was natural for me to begin inviting artists to come together for relationship, professional and spiritual growth and strategic purposes in 2013. This has led to the establishment of the Imago Dei Artist Network in Latvia and the annual imagiNATIONS Artist Festivals in both Latvia and Estonia every summer.
I also lead a network of European artists from 22 nations who meet annually in Poland at the European Leadership Forum.
I have been married to Nancy for 41 years. We have four grown children and nine grandchildren.
The painting above is: Pearl of the Baltics by Charles David Kelley, © 2006.
12 Reasons to Buy
CAMBRIDGE, England – Welcome to my world of vibrant paintings of land, cities, and skylines. I am glad you have chosen to visit me. As you look through these pages I invite you to imagine how some of these works may look in your home or office. It could well be that one of my creations can add beauty and joy to your life.
In Europe, most families enjoy original art. But in the USA the masses are far too satisfied with copies. I used to share that satisfaction...or I settled for it. Here are but a dozen reasons why I believe every home and office would greatly benefit from hand-made, one-of-a kind art.
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- Everyone needs beauty. When surrounded with beauty our lives flourish. When we offer beauty to those we love we communicate to the deep recesses of their hearts.
- Every space needs to be interesting. Your home or office reflects your personality and values. If cluttered with this, that and everything, they betray your lack order. If blank, your walls scream “boring”. But if adorned with attention-grabbing vibrancy, people stop in their tracks.
- Important rooms beg for life. I suppose one can live with the bland…neutral sofas, carpet and walls. Yet splashes of the vivacious color transform sterility into vitality. This same vitality prompts spontaneous conversations. The subjects talked about have no bounds.
- Fine art inspires us to see the world differently. We can get into the heads of artists and imagine what they were thinking when creating. Or we can make up our own stories that live in the boundaries of the pictures. We can tell these stories to our children and grandchildren.
- “Happy walls make happy people.” So declare gallery owners, Lisa Diamond Katz and Shira Wood. Good paintings not only cheer walls, but render entire rooms cheerier. When this ensues, you will deliberately choose to spend more discretionary time there.
- For many businesses, schools and churches, conference rooms appointed smartly with imaginative art provide the perfect context for serious meetings leading to impressive results.
- Expressive paintings in your office can really humanize the space. Such art gives it character and warmth, transforming this space into a relational environment. Good for business.
- The center of human warmth in many abodes is the kitchen. That which adorns these walls can greatly contribute to this intimacy.
- Perhaps no room in the home calls louder for original beauty than our bed rooms. The right art enhances the importance of rest and closeness.
- Families come together for meals, conversation and laughter in dining rooms. Shouldn’t our art contribute to these positive things? Art can inspire meaningful thought and dialogue as adults and children alike engage in conversations deeper than the daily mundane.
- Hanging pleasant prints is a good start, but they lack the ring of authenticity. Originals always trump copies. Handmade anything beats mass-produced any time. This needn’t continue for vibrant paintings are available.
- I don’t think investment should be the main incentive for buying original art, but it doesn't hurt when a piece purchased ten years ago has doubled or tripled in value. What a nice bonus in the art of art collecting!
I welcome you to my world of vibrant paintings. Have fun perusing.
Many paintings shown here have sold, yet many are still available…at reasonable prices. The painting above is: Expression Dallas by Charles David Kelley, © 2018