Celebrating the city’s color
Story courtesy artsBHAM
Charles Buchanan is a visual artist and the editor of UAB Magazine. About a decade ago, his photography hobby and deep appreciation for Birmingham led him to start making block prints of notable sites around town.
His art has since been featured on HGTV, Birmingham Magazine, B-Metro and Alabama’s state tourism website. In 2012, he authored “Fading Ads of Birmingham” published by The History Press. The book, with photography by Jonathan Purvis, tells the stories behind nearly 70 of Birmingham’s old business signs.
Buchanan’s new exhibit, “Local Color,” is on display at Naked Art Gallery, 3831 Clairmont Ave. S., until July 23. Pieces in the show include depictions of Birmingham skylines, Five Points South, the City Federal Building, the Cahaba River and a half-real, half-imagined image of Sloss Furnaces, in addition to wall pieces and functional objects such as clocks, boxes and wearable items. More information at NakedArtUSA.com.
Q: Tell us a little about “Local Color.”
A: As the title suggests, this exhibit features locally inspired art. It’s the first time that people will see my work in watercolors, acrylic, painting on fabric, drawing, collage and cyanotype (a form of printmaking that uses the sun to create the image on sensitized paper). It’s a pivot from my previous focus on block prints. I’m very excited about it.
Q: What is it about Birmingham that inspires your art?
A: Our city is really lucky because we didn’t tear down our old buildings. Birmingham has lots of character. I love just walking around downtown and looking at the architecture. I try to distill what Birmingham feels like for those who look at my art.
In the past, I’ve made true-to-life block prints of landmarks such as Vulcan, Sloss Furnaces and the statue of Electra on the Alabama Power Building, as well as neon signs; it’s fun to depict something so vibrant in 2-D.
In my more abstract work, I usually have a mood in mind that’s reflective of the city. Perhaps I’ll just recreate the layers of colors in the rocks at the Red Mountain Expressway Cut. Other times my images are an amalgam of different locations … bits and pieces of streets with a “Pepper Place” sign, although you won’t find a real-life place that looks exactly like what I illustrated.
Q: Why did you transition from block prints to drawing and painting?
A: I knew that once our daughter was born, I wouldn’t have as much time for art. I needed to find something that wasn’t as messy as block prints and that I could stop and start as needed. I figured I could always pick up a pen and draw. And, after 10 years of doing block prints, I wanted to try something new and more abstract. Transitioning to drawing and painting has re-energized me, and my art.
Q: What was your first artistic love as a child?
A: When I was 8 and 9 years old, I loved animation and thought I would become an animator. I loved telling stories through that format. My comics were a blend of humor and adventure. My characters were talking animals — somewhere between Garfield and Disney. I feel that, with my return to drawing, my art is coming full circle. Maybe someday I’ll redraw those comics. I’ve saved them all.
Q: Did you formally study art?
A: No, I don’t have any formal training. In elementary school, I took an art class and learned how to make block prints. I also did some graphic designs in college. But, I learn mainly from my own study and practice. Watercolors are intimidating; I’ve done a lot of reading about them. Since I work at UAB, I also talk with an art professor there.
Q: Are you originally from Birmingham?
A: I was born in Selma, Alabama, but I lived all over the South while growing up. I came to Birmingham right before my senior year of high school in 1989. It’s safe to say that I claimed Birmingham as my home, or rather, Birmingham claimed me.
Q: What are some of your favorite things in Birmingham?
A: Artwalk is a great showcase especially for newer artists, and it helped people discover me. Also, I met my wife there. Day of the Dead is another favorite. It’s magical, a mix of Mexican tradition with the city of Birmingham. I also enjoy Railroad Park; my daughter loves to watch the trains. Other picks would be Red Mountain Park, Sloss Furnaces and Birmingham Restaurant Week, to name a few.
Q: What’s next in your artistic life?
A: I’d like to explore new techniques. I also want to refine my watercolor work. I’d like to work more with old-school pens with nibs, which makes controlling them more challenging.
Q: What’s one thing people might not know about you?
A: I represented central Louisiana in the National Spelling Bee when I was in the eighth grade.
Editor’s note: This article was produced in partnership with artsBHAM. To learn more about them, visit artsbham.com.