The Atlanta-based artist Charles Louis Middleton III is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative practice explores the complex realities of contemporary life today. From a young age, Middleton—creatively known as RMBRCHARLES—cultivated an artistic talent, transitioning from drawing small characters to painting large-scale portraits, environments, and actions.
Charles Louis Middleton III, photo by Ayana Gordon, courtesy of the artist.
Charles Louis Middleton III, photo by Ayana Gordon, courtesy of the artist.
Born in San Antonio, TX, Middleton attended Prairie View A&M University before moving to Houston in 2022 to collaborate with Sanman Collective, a non-profit organization that supports emerging artists and the creative community. The preceding work resulted in a private solo show Mexico City. Today, Middleton’s large-scale paintings, often inspired by real-life experiences, feature stirring portraits set against vibrant blocks of color, accompanied by poetic titles. His works, such as intricately rendered charcoal drawings and intentionally unfinished oil paintings, reflect the incomplete nature of his subjects’ journeys. Drawing inspiration from Black art pioneers like Bill Traylor and Kara Walker, his recent works feature ghostly silhouettes and illustrations of moments he captures in his daily experiences to his travels.
View of Charles Louis Middleton III’s artist-in-residency studio at La Fourchette de Rōze, courtesy of the artist.
Earlier this year, Middleton participated in an artist-in-residency program in Africa at the La Fourchette de Rōze hotel in Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire. Spearheaded by the acclaimed chef Rōze Traore, the program illuminates the hotel’s Handmade Gallery to celebrate a global dedication to art and craft. Alongside other impactful talent from around the globe, Middleton used the time and space to explore new approaches and materials within his creative practice, creating twelve new pieces.
Most recently, Middleton participated in The Last Resort Artist Retreat (TLRAR) in Baltimore, spearheaded by Derrick Adams, from March 16–April 13. Whitewall spoke with the artist to hear how his work reveals the necessary imperfections of life and what his upcoming solo exhibition in Atlanta at The Goat Farm Arts Center will reveal.
Charleson Louis Middleton III’s Creative Practice
Charles Louis Middleton III, BLANKMANS PORTRAIT, courtesy of the artist.
WHITEWALL: Tell us a bit about your creative practice. How does your work exemplify your view of the world?
CHARLES MIDDLETON III: My creative practice varies by how I approach a piece. It is always a blend of either my life experiences, history research, current events, or things I see or think about. The work I create comes in a variety of styles that seem to connect to all folk in some way, which I find cool. The mediums I’ve been focused on more the last few years are acrylics, charcoal, and graphite, as well as digital mediums. I know we all have similarities—when it comes to having emotions, being together, sharing memories, capturing moments, and having seen something that brings a spark in you. The work I create embodies how the soul feels during that process. There’s a hidden understanding when you see my works up close. Flaws and all stay on the canvas.
“The work I create embodies how the soul feels,”
Charles Middleton III
WW: What do you hope to communicate to an audience?
CM: True togetherness, inspiration, and how to be present in real time. I want you to feel as if you’ve known me forever because of the comfort of togetherness and conversations held. I hope the artwork will inspire others to either get in the studio and give positive motion to their own personal journey.
Memories from the Ivory Coast
Detail of Charles Louis Middleton III, Blue Bell, courtesy of the artist.
WW: You recently completed an artist-in-residency program in Ivory Coast. What was your experience like there?
CM: Wow. I’m still on a high of life. My mind is technically still in Africa. Being on the Ivory Coast, in Abidjan and Grand Bassam, changed my life. I learned how to be patient and present—after being in traffic to get to the city for six hours, trying to buy some paint, and hours hours back. In the heat, no phone. The beauty of everything—from tree-bearing fruits of all kinds to having families show amazing love with meals and endless togetherness. The residency allowed me to be very free while also giving me everything I needed, and more. From amazing meals, learning about cultural food and traditions, and ways of being, I created some interesting moments that have inspired recent works. I created 12 pieces in a month, so that was fun, all while exploring. I learned and experienced all I could.
“My mind is technically still in Africa,”
Charles Middleton III
Portrait of Charles Middleton III, courtesy of the artist.
Charles Louis Middleton III painting Dive Day, courtesy of the artist.
WW: Your paintings often feature portraits, and some of the works you created at the hotel feature people who work there. Can you share details about a piece you created that might feature employees? Why was this important for you to make?
CM: There is a piece named Axel and Joseph, featuring two subjects running in formation of togetherness. White shirts, black pants, and unfinished shoes. These two employees at the hotel became brothers to me while always going out of their way for their own people. They never stopped working or moving. The background color is a beautiful “Bassam Blue,” which is a name I’ve given to the color from my exploration through Ivory Coast with fellow artists Velma Rosai-Makhandia, Carl-Edouard Keita, and Lassana Sarre.
Charles Louis Middleton III, THE STAFF, courtesy of the artist.
WW: In February, you also attended Frieze Los Angeles for the first time. What was a highlight?
CM: Lenworth McIntosh’s works up close were super fantastic. It’s like looking at a comforting dream or memory. He’s also a great soul, so I enjoyed meeting him on universal timing. I also got a chance to meet with Tschabalala Self and experience her amazing work, as well as Nina Chanel Abney. I always freak out over her work. She makes so many endless creations with different auras attached.
“It’s like looking at a comforting dream…”
Charles Middleton III
Creating From The Last Resort Artist Retreat
Charles Louis Middleton III painting THE STAFF, courtesy of the artist.
Detail of Charles Louis Middleton III, Dive Day, courtesy of the artist.
WW: You also just wrapped up an artist-in-residency program in Baltimore, as well. Can you share more about that?
CM: I was cooking up some amazing work next to Julian Gaines and Taj Poscé, thanks to the big homie, amazing visionary, and endless creator Derrick Adams. Meeting everyone there felt like family. It was extremely comforting and relaxing. Can’t beat relaxing and painting. Plus, Baltimore is amazing. More people should visit. Charm city, no doubt. Folks know how to be cool and be together—it’s a win.
Detail of Charles Louis Middleton III, Bougie Bell, courtesy of the artist.
Charles Louis Middleton III, Bougie Bell, courtesy of the artist.
WW: Next month in Atlanta, you’re presenting a solo show named “Journey 2 Rmbr” at The Goat Farm Arts Center, on view from May 23–June 6. What will be seen here?
CM: The Atlanta solo is more of a mixtape release. It will be a variety of things, including creations from my time in Africa’s Ivory Coast to pieces of my studies and inspiration of moving forward. Everything that will be seen will be felt. A lot of energy and aura are attached.
Charles Louis Middleton III, photo by Ayana Gordon, courtesy of the artist.
