Charles Ezra Ferrell

Profile

Charles Ezra Ferrell was born June 26, 1958 in Detroit, MI. He was the last of seven children conceived by Ella Mae (Patterson) Ferrell of Pulaski, TN and Fred Ferrell, Jr. of Sharon, GA. He was raised in the historic “Black Bottom” and later moved to S.E. Detroit, by the river, south of Jefferson Avenue.

From childhood, Charles demonstrated a natural propensity for the visual arts. His early creative talents were augmented through art training received at Cass Technical High School (Detroit, MI) and Cranbrook School (Bloomfield Hills, MI). He studied live models and portraitures, primarily through self-directed study, at Amherst College and University of Michigan.

Today, Charles lives in Southfield MI and is an emerging detailed pencil artist and photographer. His works focus on African Classical Music (jazz) artists, political luminaries, Kemetic (Ancient Egyptian) motifs and nature.

His drawing tools of choice are F, 2H, 5H, 2B-5B, and 7B pencils; off-white archival 90-100 pound 18×24 and 22×30 Strathmore quality paper; Faber Castell 9000 Series and Pitt Pure Graphite Pencils; Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils; workable fixative and non-abrasive erasers. His techniques includes line drawing, hatching, crosshatching, random hatching, scribbling, stippling, blending and rapid random layering strokes with broad graphite sticks to create details and gradients of values.

Upon viewing electronic images of Charles’ drawings, John Bolden, Executive Vice-Chancellor of WCCCD, DIA Alan Locke awardee and a member of the Brown and Juanita C. Ford Gallery ’s Curatorial Committee wrote: “There is much energy contained in these pieces. It is clear that you have a strong voice about each of your subjects as each personality surfaces uniquely. Furthermore, you have done an excellent job in filling your space with sensory images that hold the viewer’s attention, quite impressive.” Charles can transform any clear photograph into original artwork.

For photography, Charles uses a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi. He provides photography services for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, The Jazz Café (The Music Hall of the Performing Arts) and Arturo’s Jazz Theater, where four of his drawings are on permanent exhibition. He has exhibited at Wayne State University and The Players Playhouse (sponsored by The Detroit Fine Arts Society). He is currently exhibiting in the Ford Motor Company / Detroit International Jazz Festival sponsored Arts League of Michigan’s “Just Jazz”, a national touring exhibition.

Charles is currently exhibiting 40 works of combined photography and art (PhotoARTgraphy) focused on Detroit Jazz artists at the Detroit Public Main Library. This show will run through June, 2009 and compliments the Library’s 9th Annual Java Jazz Series.

He will also exhibit at the Music Hall of Performing Art’s Bassett and Bassett Gallery starting May 15, 2009 and showcase two original works for auction during the Music Hall’s annual fundraiser: “Cars and Stars” on June 12, 2009. Charles will also exhibit at the Scarab Club and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in 2009.

Upon seeing Charles’ photographic work, Gregory Wittkopp, Director of the Cranbrook Art Museum, stated, “Your shots are amazing! …. We rarely hire outside photographers, but I certainly would like to add your name…”

In Charles’ words, “My artistic goal is to infuse my work with life-energy and transferable emotion. The creation of art is a sacred act. Real art is not neutral. It should stir emotions and trigger a movement deep in the undercurrent of the psyche…and bring to the surface a new way of seeing, a new way of being.”

Please contact Charles at: artbycharlesezraferrell@yahoo.com to discuss art, gallery representation, exhibition opportunities and/or to purchase original art.

All photographs and artworks in this and other “redbubble” links are copyrighted and owned by the artist, Charles Ezra Ferrell. Any reproduction, modification, publication, transmission, transfer, or exploitation of any of the content, for personal or commercial use, whether in whole or in part, without written permission from myself is prohibited. All rights reserved.

Art By Charles Ezra Ferrell, LLC

Visit:
www.redbubble.com/people/Ezra5000102 (photography)
www.redbubble.com/people/FerrellCharles (photography) www.myspace.com/artbycharlesezraferrell