Courtney Chidester

Upshur County

Painting

Website

I am a multimedia artist who depicts people and nature through painting, drawing, and photography.

Growing up in West Virginia, I have always had access to a great variety of plant life. Throughout the years I have been observing and studying the different types of plants by collecting leafs, photographing flora, and creating botanical drawings.

Being raised by a tight knit family, I was influenced by the human form from an early age and began recreating the faces of those near to me early on. I use oil paints to create portraits because of their layering capabilities and ability to create a vivid and realistic look. Rembrandt, Jenny Saville, and Tiera Floyd heavily influence my style. My paintings create a believable alternate reality for the viewer and the subjects of my work give off a sense of familiarity and create a connection with the viewer.

Biography

Raised in small town West Virginia, I developed a love for nature and a need to recreate familiar faces early on. My work reflects the life that exists around me.

I am now attending West Virginia Wesleyan College and completing a degree in Art with a concentration on Drawing and Painting. I have been published in the Vandalia multiple times and have displayed my work in many group exhibitions including the Strawberry Festival Juried Art Show, Buckhannon Upshur Camera Club Photography Contest, the Annie Merner Pfeiffer Library Art Exhibition, and Emerge: A Selection of the Best & Brightest West Virginia Artist Students & Graduates.

Other Creative Skills

Painting

Courtney Chidester's Work

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