Charles Brady (artist) facts for kids
Charles Brady (born 27 July 1926, died 1 August 1997) was an American painter. He was born and learned to paint in New York, but he spent most of his life living and working in Ireland.
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Charles Brady: An American Artist's Journey
Early Life and Art Training
Charles Brady served in the US Navy during World War II. After the war, he worked regular jobs and took night classes to learn drawing. In 1948, he joined the Art Students League of New York for a year-long course.
After art school, he kept painting and started showing his artwork in the early 1950s. To support himself, he worked in various jobs, including in hotels and as a guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A New Beginning in Ireland
In 1955, Charles Brady had his first solo art show at the Urban Gallery. However, he felt his life was becoming difficult and he needed a change. He later wrote that he felt "lost" and needed to get his life in order.
To find a fresh start, he traveled by ferry to Ireland in 1956. There, he began painting the beautiful Irish countryside. He went back to New York in 1958, but in 1959, he moved back to Ireland for good. He first lived in Dublin and then in Dún Laoghaire.
His Unique Painting Style
Because he didn't have much money, Charles Brady often painted on small pieces of cardboard. This led to him creating many small pictures, which became a special part of his style. He liked that these smaller paintings felt personal and were more affordable for everyday people. He hoped his art would fit well into people's living rooms or bedrooms.
In the 1960s, he started painting still life pictures of everyday items. These included things like envelopes and tickets. These small, simple paintings helped him develop a very clear and almost spiritual style. One art critic said that he could make ordinary objects look special and beautiful by using simple designs and soft colors.
Later Life
Charles Brady married Eelagh Noonan in 1960. He passed away from cancer at the age of seventy-one. He is buried in Shanganagh Cemetery, located in Shankill, Co. Dublin.
