Biography
Charles James Kaiser (1939-2011, Milwaukee, Wisconsin) received his first art supplies -- a sketchbook and pencils -- when he was seven years old. These simple tools became his solace and means of expression as he recovered from a serious inner ear surgery that restricted his physical activity and left him deaf in one ear.
During his teen and college years, he took a variety of jobs to save money for art school. These jobs -- including farm assistant, punch press operator, funeral home greeter, and brewery worker -- provided inspiration for the imagery of people, children, and neighborhoods that appear in much of his early work. At the same time, the long hours and hard labor reinforced his determination to devote himself to his art.
On a scholarship, he attended Layton School of Art (now Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design) for two years, then earned BFA, MS, and MFA degrees from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee from 1963-1970.
Meanwhile, Kaiser participated extensively in solo and group exhibitions, both regionally and nationally. His work gained recognition for its dream-like juxtapositions of personal imagery with art-historical and political references, as well as for the fine draftsmanship, subtle rendering, and vibrant color that have become its formal trademarks. In 1972, Kaiser began a teaching career at Mount Mary College, where he eventually became a tenured professor, teaching drawing, mixed media, figure drawing, and painting until 2007. While teaching, he maintained a prolific output of paintings and drawings.
Charles James Kaiser's drawings, oils, and watercolors have been shown in several solo exhibitions, and selected for group shows including the California National Watercolor Society Competition, Watercolor USA, Chicago and Vicinity, Watercolor Wisconsin, several shows at the Milwaukee Art Museum, and the Lakefront Festival of Arts. Honored with numerous awards, Kaiser's work has also been reproduced in numerous publications.
Charles James Kaiser passed away in spring of 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer. He continued to paint and draw until his death, transforming and transcending the pain of his illness through a steadfast creative practice. His family remains committed to sharing the legacy of his life and work.
