There are few artists who so completely embody the spirit of their city as Fred Jamar does Charleston. For more than 40 years, Jamar has painted the streets, porches, waterways, and rooftops of the Holy City with a vibrant, expressive energy that mirrors its warmth, charm, and enduring sense of community. Now in his 80s, Jamar continues to create, imbuing his work with the same joy and spontaneity that has endeared him to collectors and locals alike.
Originally from Belgium, Jamar’s journey to Charleston was as unconventional and colorful as his artwork. Before picking up a paintbrush professionally, he spent over two decades working as a banker in Brussels. But it was the siren call of the arts—and Charleston’s irresistible atmosphere—that eventually led him to a new life in South Carolina. He visited Charleston in the early 1980s and has been painting the city ever since, eventually moving here full time in 1997.
Jamar’s artistic style is immediately recognizable: lively, textured brushstrokes, bold colors, and scenes that seem to dance on the canvas. His work captures more than just the visual beauty of Charleston—it reflects its soul. From classic market scenes and sun-soaked streets to quiet back alleys and garden courtyards, Jamar paints a city that is not static or staged, but alive with rhythm and the illusion of humanity. His compositions often feature familiar architectural landmarks, yet they never feel overly formal or rigid; instead, they are rendered with a sense of playfulness and movement that brings them to life and although they feel alive, they rarely have people in them.
One of the most striking things about Jamar’s paintings is their conviviality without intrusion. There are no neighbors chatting on a porch, or street performers drawing a crowd, instead the city is left empty for the viewer to enjoy as the golden hour casts long shadows over cobblestones. His art reminds viewers that Charleston is, at its best, a place of connection, shared experience, and beauty to be viewed. His canvases pulse with the energy of a community that welcomes and embraces, that laughs and lingers, that finds joy in the everyday beauty.
Now well into his eighth decade, Jamar remains a vital part of Charleston’s artistic and cultural landscape. He still paints regularly in his downtown studio, and his work continues to evolve without losing its signature charm. For those who have followed his career, his art serves as both a personal and collective chronicle—a visual diary of a city in motion, seen through the eyes of someone who truly loves it.
Fred Jamar’s legacy is not just one of artistic excellence, but of emotional truth. He paints Charleston not just as it appears, but as it feels: warm, beautiful, welcoming, and brimming with colorful life. Through his work, generations of viewers have come to see the city not just as a destination, but as a vibrant, living character—one that invites you in and never really lets you go.
