The Art of Charlie Dingler
I
like Charlie Dingler. He and his art bring a smile to my face. He is a resident of Rabun County but he didn’t start out here. Charlie’s life began in Newnan, Georgia but he will tell you that he grew up around Cumming & Buford. Charlie was one of three sons. His interest in art began in high school. After graduation he worked construction but deep down he wanted to be an artist. Working with his hands was what made him happiest and at 18 years old (in 1974) he took some art to a local art show. “I was hit! I made a decision to pursue art,” Charlie said. He kept working summers and weekends to pay his way through at Truett McConnell College and then Brenau College where he studied Art Education. When the Old Tannery closed in Buford, Georgia the art community established an artist colony in a portion of the abandoned factory. Charlie was one of the original artists and he opened a gallery there. He learned blacksmithing and metalworking. He kept his gallery going and he did pretty well. In the 90s Charlie began to do small paintings, primitive folk art and they were well received. Every piece of his art tells a story or celebrates an aspect of life. He worked jobs as he had to and did shows every chance he could. The folk art community is a tightly woven group. The support each artist gives the other is key to their success. Charlie had a one man show in 1993, then he attended Folk Fest in Atlanta and Finster Fest at Paradise Garden in Summerville, Georgia.
Charlie is a father to two children, Cassie and Clayton, and he has a special someone he shares his life with. In 2016 he got a call from his brother about a new distillery opening in Dillard, Georgia. They needed some help converting the old cannery into R.M. Rose Distillery. He was glad for the work and to offer his help. Because of his metalworking experience he was just the guy they needed. Once the operation was up and running and he had gotten a taste of mountain life, he decided to stay. He has worked every aspect of the process at R.M. Rose. From the manufacture of the whiskeys and bourbons to bottling, packaging and shipping. When you reach for the door of the R.M. Rose gift shop you will encounter Charlie’s metalwork. He fashioned the door handles including their signature rose. Charlie’s newest creation is his Whirligigs. A name he gave them and one that is a perfect fit for his yard art. They are bright and colorful, fun and functional. They twirl and spin to folk art perfection! Where can you find Charlie and his art? At the Rabun County Community Market behind the Rabun County Civic Center on Saturday mornings from 9am – 2pm. His whirligigs have also found a home at Main Street Gallery in downtown Clayton. Whirligigs are just one aspect of Charlie’s art. He explores flea markets and junk stores, finding pieces that he can transform into art. Typically his work is mixed media and threedimensional. When I asked him what he paints he thoughtfully responded, “Well I paint everything from angels to spaceships.” With a lifetime of art experience, he was known for Bud the bull. Painting farm animals was a natural choice because a farm is where Charlie grew up. Bud the bull has been retired and replaced with birds, VW vans, chickens and horses. He finds a place in his art for poker chips, bottle caps and other unique finds. May 1st and 2nd will find Charlie at Art Fandango hosted by folk art artist Sam Granger. The event will begin at 10am and finish up at 5pm. The art show will feature art from five regional artists and take place at 1390 Tom Born Road in Clarkesville, Georgia. You can also see more of Charlie’s work on Instagram at #DinglerCharlie. I will own a whirligig I just have to choose which one.
28 GML - May 2021
