Considered one of the foremost modern proponents of the American Realist tradition, Charles Jarboe paints urban and rural landscapes that explore light and color. Drawing inspiration from Edward Hopper, Jarboe tries to capture a sense of stillness and alienation in his work through the juxtaposition of seemingly aloof figures and the clear delineation between natural and artificial light. He achieves his precise style by working principally from photographs, often adopting unusual perspectives typically only captured by photographic work.