Charles Jiao grew up in China during the tumultuous Cultural Revolution, which frequently disrupted his formal education. However, his father, determined not to let him waste his time, arranged for tutoring from family friends, including an artist who introduced him to the world of art. After completing high school in 1973, Charles spent two years in mandatory agricultural work before securing a job as a designer in a department store, drawing upon his earlier artistic training.

With the end of the Cultural Revolution in 1976, Charles seized the opportunity to pursue higher education. He enrolled in chemistry at Xiamen University and eventually became a lecturer at a university in his hometown.

In 1986, Charles made the life-changing decision to move to the United States for graduate studies. He earned a Master of Science and a PhD in chemistry from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and Purdue University, respectively. Throughout this time, Charles continued to nurture his passion for art, taking private lessons in watercolor during his limited spare time.

Charles’ career as a chemist brought him to Dayton, Ohio, where he continued painting as a hobby and ventured into working with oils.

In 2019, Charles made the bold choice to transition into a full-time oil painter. Since then, his artworks have been showcased in numerous national and regional art exhibitions. Presently, he is represented by esteemed galleries, including Eisele Gallery and Olde Masters Galleria. Charles has been a member of prominent art organizations such as Oil Painters of America (OPA), Cincinnati Art Club (CAC, Signature Member), Dayton Society of Artists (DSA), and Olde Masters Galleria (OMG).

Selected exhibitions:

1. OPA 2021 Juried Salon Show Juried Exhibition
2. “Better Together” Exhibition, DSA
3. “Art In The City” 2021 Juried Show, DSA 
4. CAC 2022 All Media Drawing Exhibition
5. “ReFRESH” 2022 Juried Spring Juried Show, DSA, 1st Place
6. TCAAC 2022 Annual Fine Art Exhibition, Tipp Center
7. CAC 2022 Sketch Group Exhibition, 2nd Place
8. CAC 2022 Spring Signature Member Exhibition
9. DSA 2022 Project Space solo show
10. ViewPoint 54 National Annual Juried Exhibition, CAC
11. Olde Masters Galleria 2023 International Spring Art Exhibition, 1st place
12. Miamisburg Art Gallery 2023 Juried Art Exhibition, 1st place in oil and acrylic category