Chuck Styles

"THIS IS A POPULAR PHOTO IMAGE FROM HIS TIME PERIOD THAT I USED FOR REFERENCE TO PAINT FROM. The paint style and color choices were decided because I felt like they give off energy. Some badass energy. The colorful silhouettes almost feel like radiation. I wanted that feeling to exude from the art in a way that whoever would look at it would feel instantly confident in their day and take on the world." – Chuck Styles

Read our exclusive interview on News.1xRUN.com!

CHUCK STYLES is a multi disciplinary artist based out of the Philadelphia area and born in a small suburb outside of West Philadelphia. As a young artist at the age of 6 Styles found comfort in art while surviving the dynamics of a complex blended family, 5 compelling siblings, and eroding house conditions. Styles was no stranger to poverty and struggle growing up. His family although low on funds were full of love and support for his passion for creativity. In many ways, his artwork reflects both the reality of his childhood struggle and his desire for a better financial future.

"I got out of my own way. Then I started creating more."

Throughout his high school education, Styles was awarded multiple scholarship programs to Moore College of Art and other art institutions to expand his knowledge and grow his skills. Although while art was fulfilling his heart, it wasn't filling his pockets. Chuck went on to try his creative hand at barbering, using that income to pay for his Art Institute College Education and build his name in the barbering industry across the country. Providing itself lucrative, Styles continued to dive deeper into the barber industry gaining celebrity clientele, television appearances, and winning multiple 1st Place Awards Nationwide. After dedicating 10 years to his barber profession, he realized it was time to pivot and begin his journey to follow a dream he once had at 6 years old, a Professional Artist.

"There was a point when I was creating artwork to reach certain audiences that were only interested in FAD OR TRENDY art. i found myself creating art just to please those people but in the end it was not fulfilling as an artist. I started attending large Miami and New York shows and saw less and less people of color displaying on a large platform. I saw my art transforming into something not of myself but more so what the demographic of those shows wanted. At that moment I realized I needed to rediscover the legacy I wanted to leave behind for my family, as an artist, and my culture. Representation became the driving force in my latest artwork and who I wanted to be as an artist. I got out of my own way and then started creating more. My goals changed, one being making a larger collection of work that was actually affordable to my supporters that helped grow my platform to become the recognized artist I am today." - chuck

Styles dedicates to giving back to under privileged youth in Philadelphia with Urban Art Gallery's Art Program "Art Buds" to teach free lessons for introductory and advanced placement students.

"I can't encourage my kids to follow their dreams without leading by example first."