Oil on Canvas

In creating her oil paintings, Chestee relies on traditional techniques, creating an underpainting then applying glazes to produce a finished image. Although her style is evident throughout her work, her paintings differ in tone from her works in wood.

She has also enjoyed plein-air painting for many years. “Getting outdoors to paint enables me to ‘get loose’ with the brush,” says Chestee, “working in a way that’s similar to making gesture drawings.”

Often, this freedom generates surprising images — not only for the viewer — but also for the artist herself.