Why This Sarasota Artist Makes His Own Paints and Teaches Like It’s 1800

In this episode of Behind the Masterpiece, host Jeffery Kin sits down with classical realist painter Charles Miano, founder of the Miano Academy, to explore what it truly means to preserve craftsmanship in a modern world. From grinding his own pigments and studying the Old Masters to teaching a rare apprenticeship-style model practiced in only about 100 studios worldwide, Charles shares how light, storytelling, and humility before nature shape his work. This conversation dives into why classical realism still matters, how art can capture what cameras cannot, and why Sarasota has become an unexpected hub for preserving centuries-old artistic traditions.

mianoacademy.org

charlesmiano.com

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introducing Charles Miano, Classical Realist Painter, Miano Art Academy

(03:45) Starting Miano Art Academy

(06:30) Charles’ inspiration

(09:15) Getting into art as a career

(13:50) Residency at Art Ovation

For more information and to listen to all the episodes, go to sarasotapodcast.com