Old City Artist Finds the “Hidden Philadelphia”

I was on my way to work last week when I bumped into a very familiar face, my old boss Charles Domsky. Charles gave me my first shot at being a PR Account Executive. But this isn’t a story about that (although that story isn’t turning out too badly).

In addition to Charles’ advertising/public relations acumen and business savvy, he’s an amazing painter. What makes it even more impressive is the fact that he actively paints while battling Parkinson’s disease for the past 25 years. He retired several years ago to focus on his art. In his own words, “At age 70, I decided to slow down. I wanted to go out on top.” Charles has good days and bad days with his disease, but when you put a paint brush in his hand, the tremors stop.

I had the opportunity this week to stop by the “office” in Old City, which has now been converted into Charles’ studio. His passion is abstract art, inspired by de Koonings, Twombly and Diebenkorn, as well as his memories of trips to Greece, Italy and France.

Charles is focused on finding the hidden energy and emotion of the places he’s visited. He explained, “Someone once told me, ‘Only those who can see the invisible can do the impossible.’ I interpret this into the impossible dream.” Charles has painted inventive aerial landscapes of many Philadelphia locales, the Ben Franklin Bridge, Broad and Walnut, Washington Square, Kelly Drive and Rittenhouse Square. He feels the vibration of the history that was made on the cobblestone streets hundreds of years ago. He lets the feelings and emotions he experiences flow onto the canvas.

Charles’ work can be found on the walls of public and private collections throughout the Delaware Valley. He is also one of four Pennsylvania artists with a disability whose work will on display in a traveling exhibit sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association of Rehabilitation Facilities and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

His artwork and his accomplishments are very inspiring. You can view his work here. And if you’re interested in his work, give him a call. He’ll give you a tour.

-Frank Sinatra