Charles Riley
Artwork balances mundane conditioning that distracts us from the unconditioned creativity of the universe.
At an early age I learned about art from an aunt who was an established artist. My father taught me a love of literature. My B.A. was in English Lit. My graduate degrees from Columbia University were in studio art and teaching of college studio art.
As part of my studies at Columbia, I studied communication theory under Louis Forsdale. As a result, I learned how important the primal mediums of painting and drawing were to ballance the deluge of electronic media.
I had exhibitions in New York City during and after my grad work at Columbia. These included: The Macy Gallery at Columbia; Hudson Valley '85 National Exhibition Juried by Barbara Haskell, Curator of the Whitney Museum; Ariel Gallery in NYC; The Emerging Collector in NYC; Eighth Annual Exhibition of Emerging Artists at the Bronx Museum of the Arts; and In Search of the American Experience by The Museum of the National Arts Foundation. There were also reviews in The New York Times, ArtSpeak (a Gallery Review), and the Bronx News.
More recently, I show my work online at charlesrileyart, exhibit in shows at the Fredericksburg Center for Creative Arts in Fredericksburg, VA. From 2012 through 2013 I displayed my artwork at Art First in Fredericksburg VA. Fredericksburg and Art First are very magical places if you ever get a chance to visit.
My artwork includes painting, mixed media, photography, and computer art, as well as a synthesis of the media. The work is expressionistic and it reflects what it is to be human. My writing, which I combine with the artwork, also reflects the human condition. The artwork is also a means to balance mundane conditioning that distracts us from the unconditioned creativity of the universe. My artwork is fed by relationships and other pursuits and studies such as Tai Chi, Taoism, Literature, Music, Media, and Art.
I studied Tai Chi with Master Da Liu in the 80's at Columbia University and I've been practicing and teaching since. I'm now teaching at two community centers in the Fredericksburg, VA area.
Discover contemporary artworks by Charles Riley, browse recent artworks and buy online. Categories: contemporary american artists. Artistic domains: Digital Arts, Painting. Account type: Artist , member since 2003 (Country of origin United States). Buy Charles Riley's latest works on ArtMajeur: Discover great art by contemporary artist Charles Riley. Browse artworks, buy original art or high end prints.
Artist Value, Biography, Artist's studio:
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Art for me is motion in stillness; light in dark; and color in the absence of color. It is light revealing [...]
Art for me is motion in stillness; light in dark; and color in the absence of color. It is light revealing itself in the crucible of creation.
Please support this website and my artwork by buying an artwork or a print. If you click on an artwork, you will see enlargements of the artwork as well as details and in some cases videos. Below the pictures are the options to buy the artwork or prints.
Please support this website and my artwork by buying an artwork or a print. If you click on an artwork, you will see enlargements of the artwork as well as details and in some cases videos. Below the pictures are the options to buy the artwork or prints.
Charles Riley
"The Light Tries to Reach through the Blood"
Oil on Canvas | 30x36 in
On Request
Prints
from $37.91
Sold Artworks • 6 artworks
Charles Riley
"contemplation of imperfection as beauty"
Oil on Paper | 20x16 in
Sold
Prints
from $37.91
Recognition
Award Winning
The artist has won prizes and awards
The artist has won prizes and awards
Published in the media
The artist has been published in the media, radio or TV press
The artist has been published in the media, radio or TV press
Presented in Art Fairs
The artist participates in art shows and fairs
The artist participates in art shows and fairs
Biography
At an early age I learned about art from an aunt who was an established artist. My father taught me a love of literature. My B.A. was in English Lit. My graduate degrees from Columbia University were in studio art and teaching of college studio art.
As part of my studies at Columbia, I studied communication theory under Louis Forsdale. As a result, I learned how important the primal mediums of painting and drawing were to ballance the deluge of electronic media.
I had exhibitions in New York City during and after my grad work at Columbia. These included: The Macy Gallery at Columbia; Hudson Valley '85 National Exhibition Juried by Barbara Haskell, Curator of the Whitney Museum; Ariel Gallery in NYC; The Emerging Collector in NYC; Eighth Annual Exhibition of Emerging Artists at the Bronx Museum of the Arts; and In Search of the American Experience by The Museum of the National Arts Foundation. There were also reviews in The New York Times, ArtSpeak (a Gallery Review), and the Bronx News.
More recently, I show my work online at charlesrileyart, exhibit in shows at the Fredericksburg Center for Creative Arts in Fredericksburg, VA. From 2012 through 2013 I displayed my artwork at Art First in Fredericksburg VA. Fredericksburg and Art First are very magical places if you ever get a chance to visit.
My artwork includes painting, mixed media, photography, and computer art, as well as a synthesis of the media. The work is expressionistic and it reflects what it is to be human. My writing, which I combine with the artwork, also reflects the human condition. The artwork is also a means to balance mundane conditioning that distracts us from the unconditioned creativity of the universe. My artwork is fed by relationships and other pursuits and studies such as Tai Chi, Taoism, Literature, Music, Media, and Art.
I studied Tai Chi with Master Da Liu in the 80's at Columbia University and I've been practicing and teaching since. I'm now teaching at two community centers in the Fredericksburg, VA area.
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Nationality:
UNITED STATES
- Date of birth : 1949
- Artistic domains: Works by artists with a certified artist value,
- Groups: Certified Artists Contemporary American Artists

Ongoing and Upcoming art events
No data available yet
Influences
Giocometti,
Duer,
Modigliani,
Gorky,
Monet,
Edvard Munch,
Kienholz,
Kirchner,
William Blake,
Francis Bacon,
George Groz,
Matisse,
Rousseau,
Hokusai,
Turner,
Pollock,
Jasper Johns,
Jean Dubuffet,
Joan Miro,
Joseph Cornell,
Marc Chagall,
Mark Rothko,
Max Beckman,
Max Ernst,
Otto Dix,
Picasso,
Cezanne,
Paul Klee,
Mondrian,
Salvador Dali,
van Gogh,
Kandinsky,
de Kooning
Education
1985 - 1986
Ed.D.
New York,
New York,
United States
1984 - 1985
Ed.M.
New York,
New York,
United States
1982 - 1984
M.A.
New York,
New York,
United States
Artist value certified
Certification established in collaboration with Akoun, the world leader in art market information since 1985.

Certification 2020 Pending certification
Achievements
Collective Expositions
2021
Celebrating Bridges
MacyArtGallery.com, New York,
NY,
United States
2011
Focus On Color National Juried Exhibition November, Fredericksburg Center For The Creative Arts
Fredericksburg,
VA,
United States
2004
Juried Show At Art Works Gallery
Richmond,
VA,
United States
1989
In Search Of The American Experience, Jacob K. Javits Bldg, Presented By The Museum Of The National Arts Foundations
New York City,
New York,
United States
1988
Artists In The Marketplace, Bronx Museum
New York City,
New York,
United States
1987
The Emerging Collector
New York City,
New York,
United States
1986
Ariel Gallery, Soho
New York City,
New York,
United States
1986
Art Show For The National Symposium On The Arts In American Education, Macy Gallery
New York City,
New York,
United States
1986
The Emerging Collector
New York City,
New York,
United States
1985
Macy Gallery, Teachers College Columbia University
New York City,
New York,
United States
1985
Hudson Valley '85, National Exhibition Juried By Barbara Haskell, Curator Of The Whitney Museum
New York City,
New York,
United States
1984
Macy Gallery, Teachers College Columbia University
New York City,
New York,
United States
1976
Namon Gallery
New York City,
New York,
United States
Publications & Press
Solo Expositions
2015
States Of Consciousness
Fredericksburg,
VA,
United States
1984
Shamanism At The Macy Gallery
New York City,
New York,
United States
Activity on ArtMajeur
Last modification date : Apr 5, 2025
(Member since 2003)
Image views: 87,685
Artworks by Charles Riley added to favorite collections: 191
Latest News
All the latest news from contemporary artist Charles Riley
Added Feb 22, 2021
Building Bridges Exhibit at Macy Art Gallery, Teachers College of Columbia University
Macy Art GAllery, West 120th Street, New York, NY, USA
Monday
22
February
2021
Friday
19
March
2021
online at See Not See | Celebrating Bridges | Exploration (macyartgallery.com)
Added May 27, 2017
Expressionistic, poetic video of digital artwork.
Added May 3, 2017
animated video of digital painting.
Added Apr 11, 2017
Story of art critic shooting and stabbing painting followed by video of painting.
Added Apr 11, 2017
Poem and Video of artwork.
Added Apr 11, 2017
Acrylic, marble dust, toys, computer parts applied to canvas for September 11 Meditation.
I lived in NYC for 15 years not far from the trade towers in The West Village and Chelsea. Got married. Moved to the Bronx; then Fredericksburg, Virginia. Was working in DC when 9/11 and the slaughter of innocents occurred. My brother-in-law was doing business in a building next to one of the trade towers when the planes hit. He had to walk home to Brooklyn in raining ash. It's a sad human trait that we can find pride in the demonization and destruction of innocent people. What a horrifying thought that many people can rationalize hate filled destruction. I thought it appropriate to use a toy airplane because the hijackers reminded me of children in a tantrum. They saw people as insignificant and small, like shadows of real people, targets of their impotent lashing out like childish bullies. Communication equipment, what connects, was destroyed and meaningless without human connection. Marble dust is a monument to death, white and cold and empty with the sense of loss.
Added Nov 20, 2016
I learned Tai Chi from Master Da Liu in the 80's and have been practicing and teaching since then.
Added May 2, 2016
Chi Kung and Tai Chi. See middle left window to start.
Added May 2, 2016
Chi Kung and Tai Chi
Added May 2, 2016
Chi Kong and Tai Chi Form
Added Oct 7, 2014
Bronx News review of show at Bronx Museum
Bronx News review of show at Bronx Museum

Added Oct 7, 2014
ArtSpeak
Review of work at Emerging Collector.

Added Oct 7, 2014
New York Times Review
New York Times Review of show at the Bronx Museum.

Added Oct 7, 2014
Museum of the National Arts Special Mention
September 1989 Exhibit at the Museum of the National Arts Foundation

Added Oct 7, 2014
Conceptual, expressionistic work on myth, superstition, and wonder at nature.
Added Oct 7, 2014
Conceptual expressionistic work on science and unintended consequences.
Added Oct 7, 2014
Conceptual Expressionistic work on media and culture.
Added Sep 11, 2014
States of Consciousness
Art First Gallery 824 Caroline Street Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 Phone - 540.371.7107
Tuesday
7
October
2014
Tuesday
4
November
2014
With my artwork, I explore where experience, literature and art merge. My artwork is about exploration, expression, creative freedom, growth, and the search for meaning and balance. Through a variety of media, I seek a balance between the mechanics of technology, nature, and what it is to be human. The expressive artwork combines literary and visual treasure from Eastern and Western Culture in a very human experience.
Added Oct 7, 2013
My Art Gallery, Art First
824 Caroline St., Fredericksbuirg, VA 22401
Saturday
1
January
2000
Monday
31
December
2018
Join us in Fredericksburg, Virginia, a center for art, music, food, antiques, and history. Serving the art community since 1992, we're located in the center of the historic old town on the fall line of the beautiful Rappahannock River. We are conveniently located between Washington, D.C., Richmond, Charlottesville, and Williamsburg. You can google us or go to http://www.artfirstgallery.com
Added Oct 7, 2013
My Gallery, Art First
Join us in Fredericksburg, Virginia, a center for art, music, food, antiques, and history. Serving the art community since 1992, we're located in the center of the historic old town on the fall line of the beautiful Rappahannock River. We are conveniently located between Washington, D.C., Richmond, Charlottesville, and Williamsburg. You can google us or go to http://www.artfirstgallery.com
Reviews and comments

Jmsbell
•
I am so glad that you chose my pieces of my art to be a part of your Fine Collection...thank you Charles! luv~

©2018 Charles Riley
My love to you as well! Thanks for your encouraging words and I will try to continue the work!

©2018 Charles Riley
I was born in Brasilia and I am recognized in Rio de Janeiro by the ABD Association of drawing and visual arts.
I really like your work. You have a great imagination and also an excellent technique. I loved everything I saw. My congratulations from Portugal

©2018 Charles Riley
Grazie Charles per aver scelto la mia opera
Merci Charles, bonne soirée .

© Charles Riley

© Charles Riley

Sarmento
•
A tua imaginação criadora não tem limites. Tu consegues transformar o ordenador numa máquina de Arte, numa máquina do belo e do sensível. Uma excelente obra. Parabéns Charles.

©2014 Charles Riley
Rosetta stone of communication Essence A map to a flexible, open ended language. Extensible to accommodate the development of the human awareness. Meditation on communication and consciousness. Black and white oil pastel calligraphy on card-stock contrasted with same calligraphy in color. Cards mounted on stretched canvas covered in acrylic sea of unknowing. The creative calligraphy tells a story of consciousness. The story reads as indicated on cards: Two fly east through clouds and disruptive currents. Two sail with intent. Shipwreck Many souls are lost. Eaten by demons, they take the golden ship to heaven. Intent is transformed into the golden elixir of real knowledge & conscious knowledge in harmony. Creative Spirit is discerned in a survivor. The heart center is opened to reveal the connectedness of all things. Sea demons are tamed and expelled from consciousness. Reality of creative energy is revealed in the return to the primordial source. Birds fly over the Western Mountains in exultation of the triumph of sensitivity and resilient intent.
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