Charles Wesley Nicholson 1886 - 1965

Mission San Juan Capistrano Oil on canvas laid down on board, 9 x 12 $1,500

Charles Wesley Nicholson was a Hoosier, born in the small spa resort town of French Lick in southern Indiana, about 50 miles northwest of Louisville, KY. Early in his professional life, Charles earned a teaching certificate and taught in a log cabin school for three years.

At age 22, he moved to Chicago in 1908 and worked at Marshall Fields Department Store while studying at the Chicago Art Institute. When he completed his training, he traveled the vaudeville circuit, designing and painting sets. He then took his stragecraft skills to Hollywood where he put them good use in the movies.

For a while, he set up a studio while working in films, and sold his paintings on the side. With the depression, sales of his art fell off dramatically. He then changed his style, becoming more impressionistic. He would drive his Model A Ford east to Palm Springs, or drive along the Coast up to the Monterey Penninsula. Along with his easel and paints, he also took his pet cockateel, who would sit on his shoulder as he painted or entertain clients as Charles sold his paintings.

At age 79, he died five days before Christmas. He left behind a large volume of paintings. His name is most often signed C. W. Nicholson, but sometimes he signed his middle name as Westly or Wesley. He is known most for his seascapes and desert scenes and some rare paintings of California Missions.

Source: AskArt