In Charles Allen’s early years, when not involved in school, chores, or work for his dad in the construction business, he began to experiment with different artistic endeavors. He tried oil painting, watercolor, sculpting with clay, and building things out of wood and metal. Working with wood and metal became Charles’ favorite medium, which he continued to pursue through graduation from college with a degree in pharmacy. The practice of pharmacy for Charles was financially and professionally rewarding, but it did notsatisfy his creative desires.

IN 1970 Charles visited an artist friend in New Orleans. His friend was cutting flowers out of brass with a torch, placing them on rocks and selling them regularly in the French Quarter. He thought that his friends work was very rough and primitive, however it planted the seed for his idea of a sculptured flower out of metal that was more realistic and lifelike. Upon returning home, Charles made five flowers out of metal, painted them to look like the natural flower and set them on a natural wood base. Charles took these five flowers to a gallery in Dallas and within one week the gallery had sold out of his work and was calling him for more. Thus began his lucrative career as a botanical sculptor.

Charles studies in minute detail the botanical structure and cycle of each flower and develops the composition realistically. Each piece is hand-cut from a variety of metals, shaped, and soldered together. A multiple painting process completes the flower after which it is mounted on a natural wood base, identified and signed.

Charles’ works have been shown in galleries throughout the United States and is included in many private and municipal collections. He has been honored with many awards: “best Metal Sculpture- Professional Category” in the State Fair of Texas, “One Man Show” at the Heard Natural Science Museum, “Wildflower Artist of the Year” by the Texas Women’s University, “Special Exhibit of State Wildflowers” at the National Arboretum in Washington D.C. during the Bicentennial, two “Special Exhibitions” at the tamed Callaway Gardens in Georgia, and nomination for “Texas State Artist 3-D”. Along with these awards and displays, Charles’ work has also been featured in “Southwest Art Magazine” and other art publications.