Christopher Chaffin

I began drawing and painting at a young age. Later, inspired by concert posters, album covers and Pop Art, I studied Advertising Design and Illustration at Northern Arizona University and Art Center. After college I pursued a 30+ year career in San Francisco as an art director/creative director. In 2011, a week long art workshop at Esalen reignited my first love of making art. My studio is located at ICB/ART in Sausalito, CA.

Artist Statement
The two primary components of my art are autobiographical and observational. I source imagery from various aspects of my history such as cross-cultural encounters and past travels, both real and imagined. I also incorporate impressions from daily life; random details, natural phenomena and things momentarily noticed in passing. My process is one of experimentation and discovery while navigating the tension between risk-taking, chance, and intuition. Using acrylic, ink, graphite and collage elements, I hope that my abstract, layered compositions will engage people’s imagination and hint at mysteries to be revealed over time.

Northern Arizona University
Art Center College of Design
UCLA

2024 SITE: Brooklyn "Collage/Assemblage"
2023 Unanimously juried into the Santa Fe Gallery Association's Artist Catalog
2023 Sausalito Center for the Arts "Spotlight"
2022 Marin Masters
2022 UC Hastings Law "Ripples"
2022 Marin Open Studios
2021 Las Lagunas Art Gallery “Purely Abstract”
2021 The Artist Alliance Show “Imaginary Travel”
2021 The Artist Alliance Show “Terrain”
2020 The de Young Open
2019 Jen Tough Gallery “Wild Things”
2019 O’Hanlon Center for the Arts “Something About Lines”
2019 Marin Open Studios
2019 ICB Winter Open Studios
2017 ICB Winter Open Studios
2016 Toad Fish Gallery, Sausalito
2015 Sausalito Library Summer Show
2015 Locals Tasting Room, Geyserville, CA
2015 ICB Winter Open Studios
2014 ICB Winter Open Studios
2013 ICB Winter Open Studios