Charles Ford

CHARLES FORD (U.S.A., 1941-2016)
"Toumanidir Deli," 1988.
Acrylic on canvas.
Signed and dated in the lower left corner.
Measurements: 92 x 143 cm; 96 x 146.5 cm(frame).

Emblematic figure of the American photorealist painting, following the line initiated by Richard Estes and Chuck Close, the paintings of Charles Ford demonstrate the assimilation of photography in the art world. He used to work from color photographs to create paintings that look like photographs, almost mechanical in their rendering. Thanks to his meticulous attention to detail, Ford has a unique ability to select moments and capture the character of the places he chooses. Each Texas scene conveys an authentic sense of place through his unique use of light, shadows, reflections and color. This is most noticeably reflected in "Toumanidir Deli".

Charles Ford was born in Dallas, Texas. He received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Lamar University and, for the next 15 years, worked in the engineering field. In the early 1980s, he moved to New York, where he had a successful career as a painter for more than nine years before returning to Texas. As a photorealist painter, he strives to accurately convey the feeling of his surroundings through his vivid works. In his recent paintings of Houston, Ford captures the changing face of the "City of Magnolias," painting a wide range of subjects, from city landmarks, such as the River Oaks Theater and the old Harold's Department Store, to scenes that often go unnoticed by hurried passersby.