Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Charles Burt. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Charles thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I grew up with the soul of an Artist. It’s something I always knew I wanted to do, but thought being creative and successful was something you were born with. I was good, but not good enough to theow away my future for it. Growing up in a broken home I went into the Army, and after Desert Storm I hit my three years and got out, but didn’t know it at the time that I was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I found myself without a job and a place to live. Then one day something in me snapped. I took the things the Army taught me about professionalism and being a good leader and applied them to my life. I got a job at Domino’s Pizza where I quickly moved up through the ranks as a store manager and recommended for a supervisor position, but I wasn’t getting any fulfillment from it. So, I went back into the Army and started using the regulations and SOPs as my paints, allowing me to find creative self-expression in my job. I thought of the tasks and missions I was on as my paintings that I would be putting my signature on, and wanted those who saw my name to know what kind of work they were getting. I finally found joy in being an Artist. After 20 years I settled down in Washington state where my wife recommended I go back to my love for art. I didn’t think it would be possible, but a good friend of mine showed me how she lives her life as an artist which to me was very foreign, but showed bravery. The problem was I had developed Parkinsons Disease and didn’t want to waste several years of my life going to art school if PD was going to take it away. My neurologist told me to keep “arting”. SO I spent 5 years at Gage Art Academy studying classical realism. This was a dream come true that I didn’t know I had. A whole world opened up for me I didn’t know existed, and despite the challenges of dealing with tremors on my dominant hand was able to be among the best Artists in the nation.
Charles, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
A big turning point in my life was during a time I was working for some door to door pyramid scheme that taught me about sales. One thing they really taught me was to be self reliant, self motivated, and to take responsibility for your own destiny. This was the beginning of me using things I have learned in my life to build on and grow. After that time I used my basic military skills to become a better leader. Then going back into the Army I used my time doing door to door sales to excel at being a recruiter and Drill Sergeant, as well as the self confidence that went with that. I think every situation we go through in life is an opportunity to learn something, and the harder the task the more you will learn. With this mindset I was able to find joy in anything I did, and to always grow. Being a Soldier means to live by a set of values, and I used those values to shape my life and to be a better person in many aspects of my life. The most important to me was to take care of my Soldiers and to always be there for them.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Living with Parkinsons and being a realistic artist has had it’s challenges, but I had to learn to adapt and overcome. There is a thing in the Army called the Warrior’s Ethos which says “I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade.” And the last line in the Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer says “I will not forget nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, non commissioned officers, leaders!” These are thing that have stuck with me and try to live by. It reminds me that no matter the situation work can solve any problem. I saw Parkinsons as an opportunity for me to show I can do the impossible, eventually I have taught myself to paint with both hands, because my right wasn’t always reliable.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Growing up I believed that either you were talented or you weren’t. The Army taught me that was not the case. That through hard work and dedication you can get better at what you do. As Soldiers we are always pushing each other to do better and to not accept anything but the best. I wish I knew this growing up because my life would be so different now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.charlesburtartist.com
