Artist Paul Chizik presents a stunning collection of oil paintings and tells a story of mentorship and observation. Learn more about him by visiting his website.
“Portrait of a Gentleman” oil on linen, 24″ x 18″
Growing up, art was a way to escape, a temporary refuge from a disciplined and often tough upbringing. Books and images became portals to the other worlds. From an early age, they played a central role in my life.
“Love Letters from a Distant Land” oil on linen, 60″ x 79″
I spent countless hours drawing, eventually moving into painting, and made weekly trips to the library where I immersed myself in history and art books. I copied drawings, studied images and imagined possibilities far beyond my immediate surroundings. Those quiet hours of observation and imagination laid a foundation for everything that followed.
“Brown on White” oil on linen, 32″ x 30″
In high school, I began working seriously with oil paint and later explored watercolor. It was there that I encountered my first truly influential teacher, Mr. Joplin, who encouraged me to push beyond comfort and talent alone. He often reminded us that art was 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. That lesson stayed with me. I understood early on that developing skill would require patience, discipline, and a willingness to stay the course over many years.
“Dark Silhouettes in an Orchard Grove” oil on linen, 52.5″ x 79″
In my mid twenties, I found my way to Western Washington University, where my artistic path deepened significantly. I studied under professor Schlotterback and was later introduced to Tom Sherwood, whose guidance in figure drawing, anatomy, egg tempera painting, and classical methods became formative. What began as instruction grew into a friendship and mentorship that lasted more than 30 years. I owe a tremendous debt to both men for their generosity, insight, and unwavering commitment to craftsmanship.
“Minnekhada Winter” oil on linen, 45.75″ x 62″
By the mid 1990s, I managed to save enough to spend nearly a year in Florence, Italy. There I studied at the Florence Academy of Art and the Michael John Angel Studios. I focused on bar drawings, still life, coping, old masters, figurative work, anatomy, portraiture, and a further understanding of oil painting. That period of intense training was transformative, reinforcing both discipline and reverence for tradition.
“Wind from the Norse” oil on linen, 53″ x 75″
Over time, I realized that working en plein air was essential to further developing my skills and gaining freedom with the brush. Landscape painting allowed me to explore mark making, light, and atmosphere in a direct and honest way, and that language naturally informed my studio work.
“The Seymour River” oil on linen, 64″ x 92″
Alongside my practice, I began teaching. As an educator, I found that guiding others sharpen my own understanding. Teaching forced me to think critically about process, materials, and problem-solving, drawing from historical techniques while applying them in the contemporary context.
“Underwood” oil on linen, 22″ x 20″
Today, I continue to experiment, question, and evolve. Rooted in tradition, but open to exploration, my work remains, driven by the same impulse that began years ago in libraries and sketchbooks: curiosity, persistence, and the belief that growth comes through sustained effort and thoughtful practice.