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TEXAS GRAPHITE ARTIST
& BASEBALL MEMORABILIA ENTHUSIAST

Charles Henry Bockelman
 

Welcome to Mr. B's online Art Gallery, featuring a selection of his original artwork.

Charles draws graphite portraits of children, teenagers, adults and pets from photographs. He uses high quality graphite art pencil on fine art paper stock for the best quality work. All finished pieces are sprayed with a special sealant to protect the image and prevent any smearing. This process helps ensure the quality and beauty of the original art will last for years to come.

Charles particularly enjoys reproducing baseball players in black and white, and there are several framed examples in his Baseball Memorabilia room.

In 1993, recovering from his first heart attack, Charles picked up an art notebook and graphite pencil to render a portrait of Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan. While working on this piece, Nolan announced his retirement from baseball. This pivotal moment inspired the revival of Mr. B's artistic talent, which he had put aside since college.

Mr. B's keen eye for details, capturing characteristics and personality in the subject, gives him the ability to translate what he sees in a photograph to bring life to an image. The simplicity of black and white graphite pencil on paper gives the finished portrait a timeless effect. Mr. B's creative technique and talent makes each piece of his art truly an original.

His commissioned art renditions have included several baseball players, grandparents, children, family homesteads and wall murals. He has also hand-painted antique furniture to match other pieces.

Charles Bockelman can recreate ready-to-frame children, adults, dogs, cats, and other subjects. He accepts commission work as schedule permits, upon reviewing requests. Portraits are rendered from photographs and produced on acid-free art paper. Fees and turnaround times vary per project; a typical single-image "studio style" graphite portrait ranges $250-$400, dependent on subject and detail. E-mail inquiries invited. chuck@chicoryhollow.com

Original art, Copyright © 2002-2008, Charles H. Bockelman, all rights reserved. All duplication, copying, reproduction, printing, posting on websites or internet, broadcast, video, or other use is strictly prohibited without exclusive written permission of artist and owner of commissioned works. No exceptions. Journalists, art reviewers and similar ipersons may contact Sheri Bockelman.

more about Mr. B...
  
    Born in Wyoming, Charles Henry Bockelman is a lifelong Houstonian, attended Texas A&M, and has worked with at-risk teenagers for over 13 years. He met his wife Sheri at the Dixie Chicken in College Station, Texas in 1976 (anyone from A&M knows the place!) He is multi-talented and an excellent cook who both works and tends to all the tasks at home since his wife's stroke in December, 2004. Charles is an avid baseball fan who enjoys everything about the game, from uniforms and equipment to the players - and America's baseball history.

Charles has an instinctive bond with animals, and originally majored in veterinary medicine at Texas A&M. Although he chose an alternative life path, there have been many pets in the Bockelman family: hamsters, bunnies, guinea pigs, parakeets, dogs and cats. Most unique is a bluejay, named Dennis, who is now 14 years old. Rescued as a fledgling, Dennis is a beloved pet who has a unique personality and imitates the telephone! According to research, most bluejays live an average 5-7 years in the wild, and average 8-10 years in captivity, so Dennis is making bluejay history. In one study, a bluejay in the wild lived 17 years, 6 months; one captive female lived over 26 years! Our bluejay has thrived on an exclusive diet of Purina Lamb & Rice dog food - an occasional treat of Cheerios or Fruit Loops - but Dennis is very particular and will not eat just anything!

Prior to working in education, Charles' professional background was in management and sales. He worked in the plastics industry as Plant Supervisor in the late 1970's, followed by several years as Construction Superintendent for a custom home builder. His diverse career experience also includes industrial water treatment, life insurance, and management of a major dry cleaning operation.

Following his first heart attack at 40, doctors advised that he make life changing decisions regarding work, or risk his health. The decision was easy: his father died at 42 of a heart attack, and Sheri was a young widow when they met. They changed priorities and family responsibilities, so Charles could devote more time to art. He was self-employed as a craftsman and carpenter.

In August, 1995, Charles was called to interview for a teaching assistant position at an Alternative Learning Center for one of the largest school districts in Texas. He finds his work there most rewarding when his influence can affect a positive change for a young individual; every year, students thank him for taking a sincere interest in their success with one-on-one rapport, honesty in dealing with them, and treating them with respect. He is a valued staff member at his campus, with many special friends.

Mr. Bockelman has three children and five grandchildren. He enjoys fishing, playing baseball with his grandsons, and country music.

See some of Mr. B's baseball memorabilia and learn more about baseball on his Baseball page!