Guest Speaker and Artist

Charles Burt (b. 1970) was raised in Detroit, Michigan and Arlington, Texas. After high school he joined the Army to serve as an Armor Crewman where he reimagined the Army Values and technical manuals into tools of self-expression. Charles served in several combat areas, and as both a recruiter and a drill sergeant during his career.

After 20 years of active duty service Charles retired from the Army, but he had a tough time adjusting to an easygoing civilian culture. He picked up his pencils again and soon branched out into watercolors and acrylics. Seeking a way to connect with other disciplined and dedicated people, he met many artists who shared his work ethic and a strong drive to succeed. From this spark of connection with motivated artists, Charles started taking art courses at the local community college and then went on to complete five years of intensive fine art atelier training at Gage Academy of Art in Seattle. Under the instruction of Juliette Aristides and Tenaya Sims, he felt at home among disciplined artists who were dedicated to their craft. During his last two years of atelier training, Charles began his series of paintings titled “Seven Army Values.” These pieces are his invitation for civilians to find new ways of thinking about military service.

About a year after retiring from the Army, Charles developed a tremor in his dominant hand and was later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Painting fine art pieces while battling a tremor is another challenge that he faces head-on. Charles hopes his art and his life story inspire other veterans to work toward their own goals even after they leave the supportive structures of the military.

Charles currently serves as the Veterans Art Coordinator for Lakewold Gardens Veterans Art Center, leading biweekly group painting sessions in Lakewood, Washington. To find out more, go to lakewoldgardens.org/veteransartcenter.