Charlie Schridde's Bio

After a successful career as an award winning illustrator and photographer, Charles Schridde sold his business and moved to Southern California to concentrate on painting. Although he began drawing as a child and studied at art schools in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and California, Schridde had to put his painting on hold, first to serve in the Navy for two years and later to earn a living.

Schridde has become equally skilled at painting landscapes and figures, achieving dramatic effects of light, color and movement. He is a regular on the rodeo circuit, where he finds much of his subject matter.

"To me the rodeo really depicts the life and times of a cowboy out West. I love the action and try to capture that energy when the chute opens up and the Bull comes charging out. The sky is blue more often out west and I use the cool blue tones from the sky and the warm reflections of the earth to create light. I loved cowboys when I was a kid, and in fact moved out West just recently. I've decided to become a cowboy when I grow up."