Signed lower right. Peaceful Venetian canal scene with a gondola passing beneath a pedestrian bridge. Having patinated giltwood frame.

Charles Schridde, grew up of humble means in Depression-era Michigan. As a child, he marveled at the excitement of small-town rodeos, an experience that would later serve as inspiration for his vibrant, kinetic painting of cowboys and professional rodeo riders. Winning scholarships for his artistic skill, Schridde studied at a number of formidable art schools and universities in his early career, among them was the Chicago Art Institute and the Chicago Academy of Art.

As a celebrated commercial illustrator, Schridde’s work appeared in many of the major publications of his time, including LIFE magazine and The Saturday Evening Post. He is most notable for his illustrations for Motorola’s television campaign in the 60’s and he also Illustrated automobiles for the big three for their advertising and catalogues. In the mid 60’s when photography became the new medium for advertising, he became one of the first and top automotive photographers in Detroit, producing ads and catalogues again for Ford, GM and Chrysler. Later in his career he had the chance to work with iconic figures such as actor Robert Redford, astronaut Chuck Yeager and auto entrepreneur John DeLorean, just to name a few.

After a successful career in photography, Charles sold his business in Michigan and moved to Laguna Beach, California, to concentrate on his career as a professional artist. He was inspired by the French impressionists and the works of western artists Frederick Remington and Charles M. Russell. While living in Laguna Beach, Charles focused on creating impressionistic images of local landscapes and architecture and interpreting the American West, old and new. He later moved to San Juan Capistrano and then Palm Springs using the landscapes as backdrops for many of his western paintings. A collection of some of his western works was published in 2000 under the title Charles Schridde: Western Impressionism. Southwest Art Magazine wrote, “Schridde has become equally skilled at painting landscapes and figures, achieving dramatic effects of light, color, and movement.” He was a regular on the rodeo circuit, where he found much of his subject matter which he documented with photographs that were equally as beautiful. His process would take many hours going through those images, and picking those that captured the light, passion and spirit of the rodeo riders. This process he used throughout his career as he traveled the world documenting nature, light, people, landscapes and the beauty of it all, including Africa, where he painted the indigenous people, animals and landscapes. When his health became an issue, he moved back to California and lastly Scottsdale, Arizona where he passed away on May 11, 2011. Charles was a member of the Scottsdale Artists League, a juried member of the Arizona Art Alliance, and in 2010 was inducted into the prestigious group, “Western Artists of America.”

Provenance:
The artist. By descent through the family of the artist.

Literature:

Education

Chicago Art Institute, Scholarship

Chicago Academy of Art

University of Illinois

DePauw University, Bloomington

Illinois State Normal

Society of Arts and Crafts,Detroit

American Academy of Art, Scholarship, Chicago

Art Institute of Southern California, Laguna Beach

Center for Creative Studies, Art & Photography, Instructor

Shows and Exhibitions

Artists Members 2000 Show, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, March 5th, 2000

Galleria di Sorrento, Las Vegas, One Man Show, October 1999

Cattlebaron’s Ball Auction, Dallas, Texas, Sept 1999

Calgary Stampede, Western Art Gallery, July 1999

ProRodeo Hall of Fame Art Show, July 1999

McGraw-Hill, New York, Permanent Art Collection

Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Artists, Guest Artist, December 1998

Nordstrom, South Coast Plaza, California

Auctions, Professional Bull Riders, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, November 1998

Bosque Conservatory – 13th Annual Art Competition

Bosque Conservatory, Clifton, Texas – 12th Annual Art Competition

Galerie Zugar, Aspen

Detroit Art Institute

Art Directors Club of Dayton

Art Directors Club of New York

La Jolla Gallery & Café, La Jolla

Concordia University, Irvine

Fact Gallery, Laguna

Beach Cowboy Trader, Detroit, One Man Show, October 1998

Joe Wade Gallery, Sante Fe

Coach House Gallery, One Man Show, Detroit

Scarab Club of Detroit

Chicago Art Institute

Findley Art Gallery, One Man Show, Chicago

Publications

Cowboys and Indians, “Art to Call Your Own” article, July 2000

Persimmon Hill, National Cowboy Hall of Fame, cover, December 1999

PRCA USA Today supplement, article, December 1999

NFR program cover, December 1999

ProRodeo Sports News, cover, souvenir program, 1999

American Cowboy, feature article, November 1999

Journal of the American Planner, cover 1999ProBull Rider, cover and feature article, February 1999

Detroit News and Observer Eccentric! October 1998, “Bullseye”

Art of the American West, contributing artist “If Looks Could Kill,” Rockport Publishers, 1998

Southwest Art, Best of the West, February 1998

Photo District News

Gentleman’s Quarterly

Awards

99 “Best Bull” medal for oil painting “Van Gogh Bull” PRCA Cowpalace Art Show, San Francisco

The Artists Magazine, Honorable Mention

‘98 Bosque County Conservatory of Fine Arts, Texas, Best Collection of an Artist

‘97 Bosque County Conservatory of Fine Arts, Texas, Artist’s popular choice

‘96 International Automotive Advertising Award, silver

‘89 & ’96 Detroit Creative Directions Council, best of show

’89 Creative Advertising Club of Detroit, silver medal

’86 Creative Advertising Club of Detroit, silver medal

‘84 Creative Advertising Club of Detroit, silver medal

’76 Creative Advertising Club of Detroit, silver medal

Detroit Art Directors Club

New York Art Directions Club, gold medal

’73 Graphic Arts Guild, 2 gold, 1 silver medal

Member

Scarab Club of Detroit

Laguna Beach Plein Air Association

Golden Spurs contributing member, Autrey Museum of Western Heritage

Contributing member, National Cowboy Hall of Fame  

Films/Television

Featured in the BBC program “Selling in the Sixties.”

This American Life Episode 102

Dimensions:
H 48" W 36" Frame Size: H 57" W 45" Good condition with no losses or restoration. | Please note all lots show signs of wear commensurate with age and use, and the lack of a statement regarding condition does not imply the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from defects or the effects of aging. Unless otherwise stated, all information provided is the opinion of DuMouchelles' specialists. Should you have any specific questions regarding the condition of this lot, please use the “Request Condition Report” or “Ask a Question” buttons or email conditions@dumoart.com.