Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, the only son of an artist and metal craftsman, Charles Wilmotts’ artistic talent was noted at an early age. Although he is mainly self taught, Charles did study for a short time at the Birmingham College of Art where he was able to sell much of his work as a student. Following this, Charles moved into the advertising business and in the late 1980’s, after spending many years running his own creative agency, Charles finally took the decision to paint full time. He now works from his studio which is attached to his home on the rural borders of Herefordshire and Worcestershire where he lives with his wife Susie. As a contemporary figurative realist he prepares graphite and charcoal studies before embarking on the finished work in oil. This attention to detail enables him to create beautiful and highly sought after figurative works, collected by a wide audience including major corporate clients, all of whom appreciate and greatly admire his artistry. Charles’s work has been exhibited at a number of prestigious galleries throughout Europe, Japan and the UK. His first one man show was unique in featuring Japan’s national sport, sumo and was staged at London’s Mall Galleries. Charles has been greatly influenced by a number of sources, but it has been the Orient which is now his inspiration, following a number of visits to the Far East. "My studies convey dramatically the deep sense of the spiritual which through their ritual and traditions lie at the very heart of oriental culture". In more recent times, Charles has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and the Royal Ballet, and in particular with the stunning Japanese principal dancer Miyako Yoshida.