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Biography

Charles Muench, born in 1966, is a California-based artist living between the Sierra Mountains and the high plains desert of Nevada. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with distinction from San Jose State University. He studied primarily under Maynard D. Stewart, who was the son of renowned Utah landscape painter, LeConte Stewart (1891-1990) and a student of one of American’s most influential teachers and American Impressionist Frank Vincent DuMond (1865-1951). After receiving his degree, Muench attended classes at the Art Students League in New York City where he studied under David Leffel, Michael Burban, Jack Faragasso, among others. In 1992 Muench moved to Madrid, Spain, where he focused on creating paintings of the city and countryside. While in Spain, Muench studied the works of Velasquez, copied from master works in the Prado Museum, and attended classes at the Circulo Bellas Artes.

Selected Collections
The California Club
Hilbert Museum of California Art
Irvine Museum

Professional Membership
Signature Member California Art Club

Artist Statement
My goal is to be a pure painter. I simply want to put pigment on canvas in a way that captures the emotions of my visual experience while satisfying the demands of my intellect.
– Charles Muench

Press and Publications
Tahoe Quarterly, Wild Western Art, Mountain Home issue 2017
Art of the West, Artists Painting National Parks, November/December 2016
Southwest Art, Sounds of Silence, Featured cover artist, April 2013
Art of the West, Sierra Pack Trip, July 2012
American Art Collector, Feature Article, June 2010
Southwest Art, My World, Feature Article, June 2007
Plein Air Magazine, Artist’s Profile, Feature Article, May 2005
International Artist, Master Painters of the World, Aug/Sept 2003
Southwest Art, A Man for all Seasons, Feature Article, June 2003
Southwest Art, The Feminine Form, November 2001
Southwest Art, Artists to Watch, November, 2000

Selected Awards and Honors
2024 The Irvine Museum Award California Art Club’s113th Gold Medal Exhibition held at Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University

2024 The Irvine Museum Award, California Art Club’s 113th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition, Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University, Orange, California

2021, "Icon of Yosemite" was acquired by the historic California Club, Los Angeles

2018 "Trail’s Reward" was acquired by the Hilbert Museum of California Art

2017 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Small Works- Great Wonders Exhibit

Muench's work was included in the prestigious Coeur d'Alene Art Auction in Reno, Nevada. His painting, "Crystal Cove Patterns," was acquired by The Irvine Museum for their permanent collection

2013, 2008, and 2005 Maynard Dixon Country Invitational, Patron’s Choice Award

2012 California Art Club's 101st Annual Exhibition, Irvine Museum Gold Medal Award. His painting was purchased by the historic California Club, in Los Angeles, CA, and hangs in their permanent collection

2010 California Art Club's 100th Annual Exhibition, The Edgar Payne Award for Best Landscape

2009 California Art Club's 99th Annual Exhibition, Southwest Art Award of Excellence

2008 Heritage Art Exhibition presented by Joan Irvine, First Place Award

2007 and 2005 Crystal Cove Alliance Invitational in Laguna Beach, CA, First Place Award and Best Painting of the Cove Award

2006 Telluride Plein Air Show, Best of Show/Artist’s Choice Award

Press and Publications

American Legacy Fine Arts presents Charles Muench in Southwest Art Magazine, April 2013.

Charles Muench Featured in Southwest Art Magazine, April 2013

Charles Muench loves the lonely places. It is the in the West, under a vast open sky, that the artist finds inspiration for his landscape paintings. “To truly understand the …

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