Charles Rice was born in Louisville, Kentucky.  He grew up with the ambition to paint his world as he saw it.  Drawing on everything from walls to cars, he began to harness his talent at a very early age.  Mr. Rice won numerous awards locally and nationally for his paintings and illustrations.  He enrolled in Louisville's Youth Performing Arts School at the age of 15.  After high school, he went on to study graphic design and commercial art at the University of Kentucky.  He was one of only a few students to have solo art exhibitions during his collegiate career and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.  After college, Charles returned to Louisville and

began work ing as an artist and associate at E & S Art Gallery, one of the most prestigious African American art galleries in the country.  While at E & S, he studied the intricate art of picture framing and began to incorporate framing with his unique style, which resulted in him having complete control over the presentation of his work. Later he relocated to Orlando, Florida, where he worked for one of Walt Disney's and the world's most famous marine life artist.

Charles' work has been showcased at most of the major art shows in the country, including New York's Art Expo and Oprah  Winfrey's First Annual Art Exhibition.  Most recently he was chosen as the official artist of the 20th Anniversary Circle City Classic Parade, with his artwork appearing on promotional materials and merchandise. Rice also just completed a mural at St. Stephen Baptist Church, the largest african-american church in the Kentucky.

His most widely used mediums are chalk pastels on suede boards and acrylic on canvas.  Much of his work is reflective of where he is in his life personally, artistically, as well as spiritually.  He believes that through his work he may assist others in their spiritual development also.  He also uses his art as his voice, a way of interpreting the world through his point of view.  Rice not only wants to create aesthetically pleasing work, he wants his work

to help enrich and educate lives. 

"I want people to look at my work as a visual testimony of GOD's POWER and the world around us."