Paul Chester

Oil Painting & Sculpture

Inspired by the horizons, waterscapes, and rolling hills that surround his studio in Southeastern Ontario, the contemporary landscapes of Paul Chester are in the tradition of Canada’s Impressionists, though tempered by a modern sensibility. Paul studied painting and sculpture in Toronto and Paris, and graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design in 1992.

Using oil as his primary medium, Chester builds the surfaces of his wood panels and canvases with many layers of paint and glazes. The physicality in the treatment of these canvases is closely connected to Chester’s sculptural experience and sustained relationship with his natural surroundings. Lines are often scratched and carved into the paint, exposing the ground layers beneath. Luminosity is the essential element that threads Chester’s works together. His paintings are not individually derived from specific locations but rather, are suggested fragments of recollection; glimpses of memory. Paul Chester has had 38 solo exhibitions and over 45 group shows across Canada, the United States and London, England, and is currently represented by 6 galleries.

“The subjects of my oil paintings are restful places and retreats found in the natural landscape – country fields, flowers, forests, horizons, clouds and waterscapes. These impressions are painted from memory, expressing the emotional experience of that moment – they are my visual diaries; peaceful mementos celebrating beauty.” – Paul Chester

abstract painting by the artist Paul Chester

Paul Chester
Thinking of Spring, 2025
oil on panel
12" x 12”

Paul Chester stands with his hands clasped in front of him in his studio. Behind him every wall is covered with his brightly coloured landscapes

Paul Chester in his studio
Photo by Zach Ward, 2024

Paul Chester standing at an easel with a large paint brush painting a blue-based landscape painting. On the walls behind him are multiple landscape paintings of various sizes

Paul Chester in his studio

Brightly coloured paintings by Paul Chester adorn the walls of his home studio. A work desk covered with paint and paint supplies sits below

Interior of Paul Chester's studio
Photo by Zach Ward, 2024

Paul Chester standing at a table with a large palette of paint in front of him. Beside him is an easel with a large landscape painting on it. On the wall behind him are various landscape paintings of different sizes

Paul Chester in his studio

Brightly coloured paintings by Paul Chester adorn the walls of his home studio

Interior of Paul Chester's studio

Artist Paul Chester talks with a visitor to his studio during the studio tour

Paul Chester in his studio
Photo by Zach Ward, 2024

Paul Chester
Passing Light, 2025
oil on canvas
8" x 10”

Interior of Paul Chester's studio
Photo by Zach Ward, 2024

Paul Chester
Destination, 2024
oil on panel
10" x 10”

Paul Chester
Ann Shier
Ann Way-Nee
Anne Cavanagh
Annette Vlieg
Art Gallery of Peterborough
Barbara Sorensen & Sandra Beange
Cathy Ogrodnik
Cathy Stalkie
Christy Haldane
Community Artist Hub
Corina Kiefert Chester
Cydnee Hosker
David Beaucage Johnson
Don Clark
Doug Andrews
Em Farquhar-Barrie
Emerance Baker
Garrett Gilbart
Holly Edwards
James Matheson
Jeffrey Macklin
John Climenhage
Karyne McKnight
Kay Gregg
Kelly O’Neill
Kim Beavis Sanderson
Leanne Baird
Lesley & Al Kroach
Lisa Martini-Dunk
Louise Laroche
Lucie Lemieux-Wilson
Lucy Manley
Lynda Cunningham
Mark Hinan
Mary McLoughlin
Mary-Anne Johnston
Nan Sidler
Nick Leniuk
Paul Nabuurs
Rene O’Connor
Thomas Aitken & Kate Hyde
Tina Fridgen
Todd Ulrich
Tricia van Oostveen
Valerie Davidson
Vince Way-Nee

Paul Chester
Oil Painting & Sculpture

1520 Settlers Line
Keene, ON

Paul Chester

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