Charles Shiels, who specilised in quirky depictions of everyday life, with a hint of the surreal, lived in Manchester but also had a studio in Spain.
After leaving school, he did a variety of jobs, but always painted in his spare time, exhibiting in group and open shows around the North West. At the age of 29 he became a full time student on a three year Fine Art B.A (hons) course. This was followed by a period as a freelance illustrator.
At the age of 38 he began teaching part time in the Faculty of Art & Design at Stockport College. This was followed by full time work and then promotion to senior lecturer. In 1996 he left teaching to devote himself to full time painting.
His work was featured in a one man exhibition at The Unicorn Gallery, Chelsea in 1999, and in a full page article in The Art Review in 1999. A major exhibition at the Woolff Gallery, Shoreditch, London in 2002, and in a full page article in The Artists and Illustrators magazine in 2003. One man Exhibition at the Blyth Gallery, Manchester, October 2003.
Charlie Shiels died in July 2012.