Silent places II
2003–2011
Charles moved to Madrid in 2003 drawn by his interest in Spanish artists such as Velázquez and Goya and to further his flamenco guitar, studying with maestro El Entri at Amor de Dios Flamenco Dance Academy.
Looking for alternative surfaces to paint on, he began using used cardboard boxing, old wooden window-shutters or wooden slatted blinds. His painting 'La Súndari' (2005, oil on 3 window shutters, 158 x 150 cm, Private Collection) went on to be shown in the Saatchi Gallery, London.
A number of Charles's paintings from this period relate to his grandfather's house and garden in Nelson, New Zealand, where he stayed for a number of months in 2001.
In 2010 he worked on his first short film 'The Dance of the Brushes' which went on to win second prize in the I Flamenco Short Film Festival, Madrid. A painting he made inspired by Picasso formed part of the film. The following year, 2011, he was commissioned to paint a large work for the online magazine and flamenco shop deflamenco.