Charles Arnoldi was born in 1946 in Dayton, Ohio. He has become a popular California artist best known for his brightly colored abstract paintings and prints that incorporate the use of wood as an expressive medium, often using tree branches and twigs. Arnoldi lives in Malibu and has had considerable financial success and celebrity attention.
Arnoldi arrived in Southern California in 1965 and spent two years at Ventura Junior College before receiving a full scholarship to the Art Center School in Los Angeles. He only lasted two weeks at his new school before becoming frustrated with limitations imposed upon him as an illustrator. Arnoldi soon enrolled at the Chouinard Art Institute and gained immediate recognition for his skill when he received a Los Angeles County Museum of Art talent award.
Arnoldi experimented with various painting techniques and struggled to find a solid interpretation of his artistic vision. He began to use branches and twigs to make up the lines within his paintings — "building" a painting with them. His earliest works were almost classic in their simplicity and shape, resembling woven stick baskets delicately balanced. Arnoldi concentrated on his twig painting for eight years, constructing many different forms, freestanding structures, sticks and string, twigs taped together densely or openly.
In 1977, Arnoldi had one of his small stick structures created in bronze. It was his first metal sculpture, and he found that the metal gave permanence to his wooden structures. In the 1980s color started to become more important to Arnoldi, and he used bright pigments to give even more definition to his three-dimensional pieces. He also started to paint on canvas, always reflecting the elements of his wood paintings.
In 1980, Arnoldi painted his interpretation of the logjam that occurred as a result of the Mount St. Helens volcano eruption. He juxtaposed his earth-toned canvas against a similar painting created entirely of sticks, mimicking the image on the painted canvas. He was constantly redefining his artistic approaches, and in the late 1980s started working with large plywood sheets. He glued the layered sheets together, deconstructed the piece using a chainsaw to cut jagged scars into the wood, and then painted it. He was now involved in a new process of building up and tearing down. His ever-evolving style took yet another direction when he started using heavy blocks of wood brightly painted and mounted on the wall. He made a point of preserving the integrity of wood by not sanding away any exposed grain.
In the 1990s Arnoldi departed from the rigidity of his wood creations by painting on canvas. His paintings from this period are predominantly black and white and display free-flowing organic shapes like twists and loops with a sense of motion not seen before in his work.
Arnoldi's work has been exhibited throughout his career in many solo and group shows. His first one-man show was at the Riko Mizuno Gallery in Los Angeles in 1971 and subsequent solo exhibitions followed at the James Corcoran Gallery in Los Angeles, (1980–85), and the Arts Club of Chicago, Illinois (1986). His group exhibitions include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (1983), the Brooklyn Museum (1986) and the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles (1992).
Find original Charles Arnoldi art on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by Joseph Grossman Fine Art)
Untitled
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Charles Arnoldi (American, born 1931) Title: Untitled Year: 2001 Medium: Off set lithograph Edition: Numbered VII 4/5 in pencil Image size: 17 x 17 inches Signature...
Offset
Untitled
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Charles Arnoldi (American, born 1931) Title: Untitled Year: 2001 Medium: Off set lithograph Edition: Numbered XXIX 54/115 in pencil Image size: 17 x 17 inches Signat...
Offset
Charles Arnoldi 'Macchu Picchu 4' Limited Edition, Abstract Signed Print
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in San Rafael, CA
Charles Arthur Arnoldi (b. 1946) Macchu Picchu 4, 2019 Woodcut in colors on wove paper Edition: 25/30 Signed, editioned, and dated in pencil along lower edge Printed by Peter Kosowicz, Thumbprint Editions, London Published by Harvey Bayer...
Woodcut
$105,000
Tumble
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Charles Arnoldi, is an American painter, sculptor and printmaker. He was born April 10, 1946 in Dayton, Ohio. Charles Arnoldi has been described as an artist who “draws in space” to...
Canvas, Acrylic
$112,000
First Rights
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Charles Arnoldi, is an American painter, sculptor and printmaker. He was born April 10, 1946 in Dayton, Ohio. Charles Arnoldi has been described as an artist who “draws in space” to...
Canvas, Charcoal, Acrylic
$29,800
Clune
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
“Clune” abstract acrylic on canvas signed on verso by American artist, Charles Arnoldi (b. 1946) and dated 1978. Arnoldi’s work is permanently displayed at the Art Institute of Chic...
Canvas, Acrylic
Untitled
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Charles Arnoldi (American, born 1931) Title: Untitled Year: 2001 Medium: Off set lithograph Edition: Numbered VI 6/6 in pencil Image size: 17 x 17 inches Signature:...
Offset
Untitled
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Charles Arnoldi (American, born 1931) Title: Untitled Year: 2001 Medium: Off set lithograph Edition: Numbered XXVI 10/40 in pencil Image size: 17 x 17 inches Signat...
Offset
Untitled
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Charles Arnoldi (American, born 1931) Title: Untitled Year: 2001 Medium: Off set lithograph Edition: Numbered XXIX 12/30 in pencil Image size: 17 x 17 inches Signatu...
Offset
Untitled
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Charles Arnoldi (American, born 1931) Title: Untitled Year: 2001 Medium: Off set lithograph Edition: Numbered XXVIII 65/115 in pencil Image size: 17 x 17 inches Sign...
Offset
UNTITLED
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in Portland, ME
Arnoldi, Charles (American, born 1946). UNTITLED. Etching and aquatint in colors, 1982. Edition of 5, printed at Teaberry Press, San Francisco, with their blindstamps, lower left and...
Etching, Aquatint
Original World Cup USA 94 - Coca Cola Soccer poster
Located in Spokane, WA
Original World Cup USA ’94, Coca Cola sponsored vintage poster. Archival linen backed in A- condition, ready to frame. This World Cup ’94 poster is very rarely seen or available....
Offset
$1,500
H 12 in W 12 in
Agnes Martin Recent Paintings Limited Edition 1977 PACE Gallery invite on vellum
By Agnes Martin
Located in New York, NY
Agnes Martin Recent Paintings, 1977 Offset Lithograph invitation on Vellum 12 × 12 inches Edition of 2000 Unframed This early print is an exhibition invitation to the Pace Gallery's ...
Lithograph, Offset
Pridinol (Artist Proof) - Damien Hirst Spot Print
By Damien Hirst
Located in Manchester, GB
Damien Hirst, Pridinol, 2010, AP Medium: Woodcut print on 350gsm Hahnemühle paper Dimensions: 96.5 x 91.4 cm x (38 x 36) in Edition: 24, this being an Artist's Proof Signature: Hand...
Woodcut
$62,531
H 16.93 in W 16.93 in
"Homage to the Square: Ten Works by Josef Albers" - Abstract, Set, Square
By Josef Albers
Located in Köln, DE
Set of 10 colour screenprints by Josef Albers. Edition of 250 copies on Mohawk Superfine Bristol. Sheet dimensions each: 43 x 43 cm Illustrations each: 28 x 28 cm All works labell...
Screen
$1,600
H 33.13 in W 26.07 in
Galerie Wilbrand (Concord) Poster /// Josef Albers Screenprint Abstract Bauhaus
By Josef Albers
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: (after) Josef Albers (German-American, 1888-1976) Title: "Galerie Wilbrand (Concord)" Year: 1967 Medium: Original Screenprint, Exhibition Poster on heavy wove paper Limited e...
Screen
$9,200
H 18.25 in W 24 in D 1 in
Frank Stella Sharpesville from Multicolored Squares I (Axsom 79) Lithograph S/N
By Frank Stella
Located in New York, NY
Frank Stella Sharpesville, from Multicolored Squares I (Axsom 79), 1972 Lithograph on J. Green mould-made paper Signed in graphite pencil, dated and numbered 31/100 (there were also ...
Lithograph
Unity of Colors - Original Signed Vintage Poster
By Max Bill
Located in Paris, IDF
Max BILL (1908–1994) Unity of Colors, 2015 Original vintage poster (high-quality four-color process) Signed on the sheet On paper, 75 × 60 cm (29.52 x 23.62 in) INFORMATION: Origin...
Offset
$1,089
H 24 in W 20 in
Mid Century 1960's Original Geometric Abstract Neon Woodblock Toma Yovanovich
By Toma Yovanovich
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original Mid Century woodblock print titled "Reflections and Images" by American artist Toma Yovanovich. Hand signed in pencil...
Woodcut
$871Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 20 in
Mid Century 1960's Original Colorful Abstract Woodblock Circles Geometric
By Toma Yovanovich
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original Mid Century woodblock print titled "Three Suns" by American artist Toma Yovanovich. Hand signed in pencil and numbered 9 out o...
Woodcut
$9,200
H 57.75 in W 6.25 in
GEOMETRIC ABSTRACT 1969 “Twin Planes” Screenprint on Canvas
By Kenneth Noland
Located in New York, NY
Kenneth Noland "Twin Planes" USA, 1969 Screenprint on canvas laminated to board From an edition of 200 6.25"H 58.75"W (artwork) Original Period frame Overall good condition 'Twin ...
Lithograph, Canvas, Screen
$1,060Sale Price|24% Off
H 40 in W 32 in
Diamond XXXVII /// Contemporary Abstract Geometric Painting Striped Colorful Art
By Jack Graves III
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Jack Graves III (American, 1988-) Title: "Diamond XXXVII" Series: Diamond *Signed by Graves lower right. It is also signed, titled, and dated on verso Year: 2022 Medium: Ori...
Canvas, Paint, Acrylic
$1,295Sale Price|21% Off
H 29 in W 19.25 in D 1.25 in
Edward Marecak Mid Century Abstract Geometric Woodcut Color Print Fine Art
By Edward Marecak
Located in Denver, CO
This original mid-century woodcut print by Edward Marecak demonstrates the artist’s interest in bold geometry, structured composition, and strong color relationships. The work reflec...
Woodcut
Abstract B3
By Carlos Mercado
Located in San Juan, PR
CARLOS MERCADO ABSTRACT Inspired in the work of Franz and Ives Klein This body of work was produced during the initial months of the lock down due to the pandemic. This tragedy crea...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,500
H 36 in W 36 in
Aura VI /// Contemporary Abstract Geometric Colorfield Circles Painting Art
By Jack Graves III
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Jack Graves III (American, 1988-) Title: "Aura VI" Series: Aura *Signed by Graves lower right. It is also signed, dated, and titled on verso Year: 2024 Medium: Original Acryl...
Canvas, Paint, Acrylic
$1,000
H 33 in W 24 in
Museum of Folkwang, Essen, Germany rare poster (Hand Signed by Peter Halley)
By Peter Halley
Located in New York, NY
Peter Halley Museum of Folkwang, Essen, Germany (Hand Signed by Peter Halley), 1998 Offset lithograph poster (hand signed by Peter Halley) 33 × 24 inches Unframed Alpha 137 Gallery is honored to offer this historic offset lithograph of legendary American artist Peter Halley's 1998- exhibition at the Museum of Folkwang, Essen, Germany,which the artist hand signed in black marker. Shown here is a photograph of our director Nadine Witkin with the artist. Below is Peter Halley's official biography. What it doesn't mention is that Andy Warhol famously painted his portrait in 1986! Peter Halley is that legendary. According to Halley, he didn't realize until after Warhol's death that the polaroids Warhol took of him with his famous "big shot" camera were made into an original painting. Warhol's painting of Peter Halley was included in the recent Andy Warhol retrospective...
Offset, Lithograph
Untitled, 89.MP.55
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Charles (Chuck) Arnoldi is a much celebrated contemporary American abstract painter and sculptor. Over the course of his fifty-year career, Arnoldi's work has evolved from a boldly g...
Monoprint
UNTITLED
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in Portland, ME
Arnoldi, Charles (American, born 1946). UNTITLED. Etching and aquatint in colors, 1982. Edition of 5, printed at Teaberry Press, San Francisco, with their blindstamps, lower left and...
Etching, Aquatint
Radar
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A painting by Charles Arnoldi. "Radar" is an abstract acrylic on plywood painting executed in a colorful palette by contemporary artist by Charles Arnoldi. Signed verso, "1987 Arnoldi" Provenance: SCAPE (Southern California Art Project and Exhibitions), Corona del Mar...
Plywood, Acrylic
Ram
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in Phoenix, AZ
acrylic on canvas b. 1946, Dayton, Ohio Since his breakthrough structures made out of branches in the late ‘70s, Charles Arnoldi has worked in numerous styles and media, from charc...
Canvas, Acrylic
Soriano
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in Phoenix, AZ
acrylic on canvas b. 1946, Dayton, Ohio Since his breakthrough structures made out of branches in the late ‘70s, Charles Arnoldi has worked in numerous styles and media, from charc...
Canvas, Acrylic
Charles Arnoldi Signed Limited Edition Lithograph
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in San Rafael, CA
Charles Arthur Arnoldi (b. 1956) Untitled, 2007 Lithograph in colors on wove paper Sheet: 28in H x 25in L Signed, numbered and dated in pencil along lower edge L. P. Edition 1 out of 5 Float mounted and framed under acrylic, 35in. H x 32in. L x 1in W In hues of rich greens and black, this print is exemplary of Arnoldi's 'Arc' series. Claiming, “I’m just trying to make art with some sense of dignity, and honesty, and integrity,” Charles Arnoldi has been blurring the boundaries between painting and sculpture...
Lithograph
Untitled
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in Santa Monica, CA
WOODCUT on handmade Kinwashi rice paper
Charles Arnoldi, Untitled, Signed Limited Edition Print
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in San Rafael, CA
Charles Arnoldi Untitled (from Three American Artists) 1982 Etching and aquatint in colors on wove paper, limited edition numbered 50/50. Signed in pencil by the artist on front lower right ‘Arnoldi’ and dated ‘82’. Published by Centrum Press , Port Townsend...
Etching, Aquatint
Untitled
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Claiming, “I’m just trying to make art with some sense of dignity, and honesty, and integrity,” Charles Arnoldi has been blurring the boundaries between painting and sculpture, abstr...
Plywood, Acrylic
Untitled
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Charles Arnoldi (American, born 1931) Title: Untitled Year: 2001 Medium: Off set lithograph Edition: Numbered XXIX 14/30 in pencil Image size: 17 x 17 inches Signatu...
Offset
Untitled
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in San Francisco, CA
Artist: Charles Arnoldi (American, born 1931) Title: Untitled Year: 2001 Medium: Off set lithograph Edition: Numbered IV 2/13 in pencil Image size: 17 x 17 inches Signature:...
Offset
Tourniquet
By Charles Arnoldi
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Claiming, “I’m just trying to make art with some sense of dignity, and honesty, and integrity,” Charles Arnoldi has been blurring the boundaries between painting and sculpture, abstr...
Copper