What do Larry Bird, Aly Raisman, and the late Marvin Hagler have in common? Of course, they all had deep connections to New England, and they were all world champions in their respective sports. But they also owned artwork by Cape artist Charles Wright. And they must have shared some similar sensibilities. Wright lived in Needham for many years, and he earned degrees from three Massachusetts universities and colleges, including Tufts and the Museum of Fine Arts. Before retiring to East Falmouth, he enjoyed a successful career as a multi-media artist who worked in over a dozen fields of visual art, including illustration and painting.

Moving to the Cape was a lifelong dream for Wright. He says, “Having visited cousins here during the summer since I was young, I have always admired the beauty of this wonderful place. Whenever I hear a local jokingly say, ‘Another day in paradise,’ I remind them that they live in a place where people pay up to $3,000 a week just to visit—and not to forget how lucky they are to live here. Inspiration for artists is everywhere, and there is a deep, common appreciation for art throughout the community.” Falmouth Art Center has also been a key connection. “I have felt incredibly welcomed by Director Laura Reckford and her staff,” he explains. “Everyone at the Center is consistently friendly and encouraging, which has made my experience there truly wonderful.”

Wright draws inspiration from the seashore and natural beauty, which has taken him in new directions. He says, “Since moving to the Cape, I have been able to focus on my fine art. Most of my career has been spent in the commercial field, and I am enjoying this opportunity to concentrate on expanding my imagination in my personal work and perfecting my craft.” For the entire month of February this year, Wright held a one-man show at the Falmouth Art Center’s Sigel Gallery entitled Reflections in Realism: Real & Imagined. 

One of the collection’s signature pieces is Penquin Sedan, where a black 1950s-era car sits stuck in the snow—with two emperor penguins perched on either side of the snow-encrusted hood, looking at each other as if to say, “This is ours, now.” Wright says, “I am currently working on a series of paintings that explores the juxtaposition of objects to create a whimsical experience for the viewer. I particularly enjoy the comedic response that this approach elicits.”  

In his retirement, Wright is experiencing a creative renaissance. “During the off-season, I spend my time painting in my studio,” he explains. “I primarily work with acrylics and watercolors, though I also do a significant amount of graphite work, especially for portraits. When the weather is nice, I enjoy painting outdoors at the beach.” One of his paintings, Cape Cow, is evocative of Ben & Jerry’s, for which he has painted murals, but the cow is wearing flipflops and sunglasses, and its black and white patches are in the shape of crabs, lobsters, seagulls, and a map of Cape Cod. He says, “Plans are in the works for an illustrative book about the travels of the Cape Cow as he explores various towns on the Cape.”

Wright has been active in civic and social groups for decades, and he has taken on work for charitable organizations in the Falmouth area. In the past year, he designed a new logo for the Falmouth Elks, created a new sign for the lodge, and painted a mural on its interior. He says, “I am excited to share that I have been selected as the official artist for this year’s Falmouth Road Race poster. Over 11,000 copies of the poster will be distributed to the race participants. The original painting will be raffled off, with all proceeds benefiting Tommy’s Place in Falmouth.” Named for the race’s founder, Tommy Leonard, the charity provides free vacations for children fighting cancer along with their families.  

Charles Wright’s work can be found at Setting the Space on Main Street in Falmouth.

~Chris White