Mayrs, Charles
Item
name
Mayrs, Charles
firstName
Charles
lastName
Mayrs
Biography
"Born in 1940 in Winnipeg, Charles Mayrs has had a life-long addiction to art. Upon completing high school in 1957, he was awarded a fine arts scholarship allowing him to pursue his dreams at the Vancouver School of Art. After graduating with honours in 1961, Mayrs was hired as a junior artist for James Lovick Advertising. Over the next twenty-five years he became an accomplished award-winning art director and writer. In 1986 he opened and co-owned Dome Advertising and built a successful business before selling the agency in 1997. During those many years, Mayrs never stopped drawing, painting, writing and furthering his photographic skills. In the early 2000’s he returned to his admiration of letterpress printing. Although not a printer, during his art school days he was taught the exquisiteness of this elegant art form by Canada’s typography icon, Robert Reid. Now, over the past decade, he has worked extensively with David Clifford of Black Stone Press producing a series of fine press books. His 2009 book, British Columbia. In Light and Dark was awarded the Alcuin Society’s first prize in Canada for limited edition publications.
Over many years, Charles Mayrs has focused on figurative painting and drawing; from realism to abstracts to abrasive graphics, featuring hominoid forms from a world of deep anxieties. Mayrs continues to explore the depths of personal human turmoil in his latest paintings and poetry. These works mirror a complete opposite to his bold yet sensuous landscape photographs.
In 2006, Mayrs created a style of poetry for himself, which was fostered by his advertising training, where writing short, succinct, phrases was the best way to cut through the marketing clutter. This form of poetry, called BASH, (acronym-Bold And SHort) is limited to twelve words in each verse, with no line having more than four words and the second and fourth line must rhyme. Three of his publications have been written in this format."
Over many years, Charles Mayrs has focused on figurative painting and drawing; from realism to abstracts to abrasive graphics, featuring hominoid forms from a world of deep anxieties. Mayrs continues to explore the depths of personal human turmoil in his latest paintings and poetry. These works mirror a complete opposite to his bold yet sensuous landscape photographs.
In 2006, Mayrs created a style of poetry for himself, which was fostered by his advertising training, where writing short, succinct, phrases was the best way to cut through the marketing clutter. This form of poetry, called BASH, (acronym-Bold And SHort) is limited to twelve words in each verse, with no line having more than four words and the second and fourth line must rhyme. Three of his publications have been written in this format."
Date of Birth
1940
Studio Location
West Vancouver, British Columbia
Contact
Charlesmayrs@aol.com
Education
1957-1961 - Vancouver School of Art
Title
Mayrs, Charles