Contemporary Visual Artist

Internationally acclaimed artist Charles Bibbs, whose work is featured in museums, galleries, organizations, and homes of many collectors, displays a deep sense of Spirituality, Majesty, Dignity, Strength and Grace in his images, that is done in a combination of realistic and larger-than-life interpretations of contemporary subjects that are ethnically rooted.

Born in San Pedro, California, and raised in Harbor City, California, Bibbs managed to work an eight-hour job and use his God-given talent in his spare time. But In 1991, Bibbs decided to leave his management position of 25 years, to form his publishing and distribution company, B Graphics and Fine Arts, Inc. Today, Bibbs is one of the top-selling artists in the country, and his business has grown to be one of the leaders in the African American art print market.
"My most important goal is to make profound aesthetic statements that are ethnically rooted, and at the same time, arouse spiritual emotions within all of us."
Charles A. Bibbs

Art Community Activist

Bibbs firmly believe that we are the “Keepers of our Culture,” and as such, have spent much of his time serving on boards of museums and art organizations to support the art community. He has lectured, and conducted panels and workshops in major cities, including the Charles Wright African American Museum in Detroit, Urban League of Pittsburg and the Riverside Metropolitan Museum. He has a sincere passion for supporting the youth, and as such, has mentored, taught and conducted numerous workshops for young aspiring artists.

In his quest to preserve and develop the visual arts, Bibbs founded Images Magazine, the first national publication dedicated to contemporary African American art, Art 2000 Visual Arts Association, Art on Tour, The Inland Empire Music and Arts Foundation, co-founder of the Creative Quarantine, an artist, and residence program.

The Entrepreneur

Bibbs is the founder of several organizations and businesses such as Art 2000 Visual Arts Association (also a mentorship program), Art On Tour, Images Magazine, The Inland Empire Music, and Arts Foundation. Bibbs has also founded two publishing and distribution companies, the former B Graphics and Fine Arts and his present business, Studio B Art Publishing and Distribution, and has owned and operated eight art galleries. As a strong supporter of the arts community, Bibbs has served on several Boards for museums, galleries, and worked on many local and national fundraising art projects.

The philanthropist

Bibbs continues to receive recognition and appreciation not only for his distinctive style images, but for his philanthropic spirit. Through his art, he has supported numerous scholarship fundraisers, and youth programs, and made substantial contributions to organizations nationwide, including the NAACP, United Negro College Fund, Associated Black Charities, Morehouse College, Howard University, PNC Bank, Tom Joyner HBC Scholarship Foundation, National Urban League, Alpha Phi Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta.

Awards & Recognitions

Bibbs is profiled in many publications, Ebony Jet, Upscale, Ebony Male, just to name a few, and has interviewed on numerous radio and television programs including the Tavis Smiley Show, Steve Harvey Radio Show, and TV One Studio. His work has been shown on the sets of many popular television sitcoms and movies. In 2008, Bibbs created the “Black Madonna” image for the Fox Searchlight film, “The Secret Life Of Bees,” and was the first visual artist to be hired to create for a Fox Searchlight film.

Bibbs’ work has been featured in several exhibitions at museums, galleries, schools and other art venues, including the California African American Museum in Los Angeles, The Metropolitan Art Museum in Riverside, The Museum of African American Art, The National Black Arts Festival, New York International Art Expo, and the Tokyo, Japan International Fine Art Show.

He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors including the “Entrepreneur Of The Year” Award, presented by the African American Chamber of Commerce, United Negro College Fund “Honoree Award,” Hardy Brown Community Award, and has been presented the “Key to 6 cities within the United States.

Bibbs’ original works are featured in the homes of many collectors, businesses and organizations all over the country.

Recognizably Bibbs

Charles Bibbs artwork manages to fuse African, African American and Native American cultural themes, to make powerful cross cultural statements. His work is thought provoking and capable of arousing strong emotions regardless of ethnic, gender and generational affiliation. Although he may have an idea or vision in mind when painting a particular piece, Charles prefers each individual who views his work to gain a personal vision from his artwork. Across the board, his renderings convey a deep sense of spirituality, majesty, dignity, strength and grace. It is sufficient to say, however his works are viewed, whatever individual emotions they may evoke, they remain characteristically and recognizably Bibbs.

Texture, movement, and energy are regarded as hallmarks of fine art. These are the elements that form the nucleus and soul of the imagery Bibbs imagery.Using his ethnic heritage as inspiration, along with a mixture of realism and fantasy, he has developed a distinctive style that is uniquely Charles Bibbs.

Comments are often made about the larger-than-life appearance of Bibbs’ work. “A lot of artists paint from different vantage points in reality. Same paint from the top looking down, others from straight on. I have a tendency to paint as if I’m looking up. That has always been my viewpoint on life — from the bottom up.” This viewpoint has lead to the exaggerated hands, feet, and height of Bibbs’ characters, that has become a trademark of his work.