09/20/2025
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Charles Criner, a visionary artist and beloved figure in Houston’s art community, who left us on September 17th. Born in 1945 in the small East Texas town of Athens as one of nine children, Charles discovered his passion for art early, honing his skills by copying images from Walter Foster “How-To” drawing books. Encouraged by his family, he pursued formal education at Texas Southern University, graduating in 1968 under the mentorship of Dr. John Biggers, who introduced him to lithography and emphasized the rawness of life, family, and cultural heritage in art.
Charles’s work beautifully captures his childhood memories and the Black experience — scenes of fishing in East Texas streams, people laboring in fields, and intimate personal narratives that served as windows into our past. A master of lithography, he created multiples using waxed crayon drawings on stone, often pulling prints on a 150-year-old antique press, and sometimes transforming imperfect ones into original acrylic paintings. His work has been exhibited widely, from Texas Southern University to the Tyler Museum of Art, and graces numerous private collections.
Charles’s career included roles as a sign painter, billboard illustrator, and graphic artist at NASA, the “Houston Post,” and the “Houston Chronicle” through 1999. Charles joined The Printing Museum in 2000, serving for more than 20 years as Resident Artist and Master Printer. Outside of creating work in his studio, Charles taught stone lithography workshops and led guided, hands-on tours that inspired generations of artists and visitors. His generosity and dedication brought the history of printing to life, blending education, creativity, and cultural storytelling in ways that enriched our community immeasurably.
Charles’s legacy as an artist, educator, and storyteller will endure. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time. Rest in power, Charles — your light continues to shine through your art.
