Charlie Brouwer Studio Visit

Being invited to Mr.Brouwer’s studio was a great opportunity to gain insight into a local artist world. Community is very important to Brouwer and is shown very clearly in his work. Brouwer is part of an installation project that borrows ladders from a community and creates a sculpture.  He stressed that the ladders are not bought, kept or sold; the ladders are borrowed from the community. Much like a neighbor borrowing from another neighbor. The installation in only up for a few weeks because of the idea that it is only borrowed. 

His other works have the same love and respect that his installation have. Most of his works are wooden and have some sort of words or writing on them. This is from Brouwer’s love of the written word and his training as an English teacher.  Each one of his works has an independent message and meaning that force the view to think outside the box.

His studio in warm and inviting; with artworks coving every inch of the studio the eye has to scan the whole space multiple time.  Each works is displayed for visitors like curators, buyers, commissioners and students to have the time and space to see all the works.

His most amazing works are on his trail which spans all around his property. Some of his works is on a Urban rental plane. This is where a city or communities rents his works for  6 mounts to two years to display in around parks and other places within they community.  

His Locust wood outdoor pieces “will last 100 years”.  Brouwer’s works are amazingly life like and have every detail covered.  His first Locust wood carving of Henry David Thoreau leads to a replica of Thoreau’s house.  From there the trail passes a perfect place to loose ones troubles of the world.  This take on the gothic window is a place of peace and hope. This is also a place where Mr. Brouwer’s daughter had her wedding.   Crossing the bridge where wood fish follow the flow of the creek lead the hiker to the field of sculptures. An amazing world of creativity and aw. Finishing the trail by putting the handmade walking sticks into the beginning trail; the class says their goodbyes and wave to the sculpture that lead us into the studio.