Patricia Chidlaw describes her works as “urban landscapes” to distinguish them from people-less outdoor scenes and seascapes in nature.
But that doesn’t tell the whole story of her art.
She could be described as an illustrator of everyday American life.
Chidlaw’s paintings — even with cell phones and modern cars — have a certain “midcentury modern” Americana look to them: the laundromat, the motel, the car wash.
But, as she describes them, “… they are all contemporary scenes, recently observed.”
It feels as though the artist captured a point in time in a narrative — and there is more to the story if you wait long enough.
And then there is a certain mood conveyed: pensive, ruminative, wistful even, that make them intriguing.
As a teenager, Chidlaw was fortunate enough to grow up and study in Europe … and we are fortunate to have her in our community.
Chidlaw has had exhibitions all over California, and right now her paintings are on exhibit at Sullivan Goss, at 11 E. Anapamu St., through July 22.