Chronister, James. Dreaming of Me (Devonshire House), 2011, oil on canvas 60 x 60 inches.
They say patience is a virtue, and James Chronister, well, he certainly has a lot of it. Working for ten hours a day with a single bristle brush, he could finish two-thirds of an inch on a 40x40in canvas. Chronister’s work is typically done in black and white dots, following this trend with his own photography in Montana. But what makes these paintings so special is his attention to detail. One thing doesn’t go right and the entire painting might be unreadable.
To keep his paintings as pristine, and accurate to the original painting as possible, Chronister copied the exact ochre wash of the ground color and exact shade of black of the photographs. He also projected the painting onto the canvas which meant the room needed to be pitch black. The room needed to be so dark that you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face. Once all the light was removed from his cubicle, he was able to focus on painting for ten hours a day every day for six weeks.
How did he not go mad after months of leaning over a painting trying to get one dot right at a time? James Chronister had a trick for this as well. In the mornings he would run five miles to get out all of his energy before sitting for hours. He also had an adjustable chair, three different types of shoes next to him, glasses, and contacts with him to help his eyes focus on the tiniest of details. Still, this was an arduous task and the tiny steps would lead to a stunning outcome.
In the end, Chronister produced a beautiful painting that represented all that the original picture captured. It’s like he created magic, but with a paintbrush, a lot of dots, and perhaps a touch of wizardry. After months of meticulous focus, if Chronister didn’t emerge with the zen-like calm of a monk, at least we can be assured he earned the world’s most well-deserved nap. But, for all that effort, he gives us art that doesn’t just capture a moment, it preserves it, making us appreciate the beauty in every tiny detail. The image itself is like a time capsule into the intimate world of the castles of the upper class, as well as proof that patience is a virtue—though it might also make you question whether he's just an artist or part superhero.
Image Bibliography
Chronister, James. Untitled (Snowy Forest), 2009, oil on canvas 40 x 40 inches. www.eliridgway.com/james-chronister/press-artslant.
Chronister, James. Dreaming of Me (Devonshire House), 2011, oil on canvas 60 x 60 inches. Collection of Howard M Steiermann. https://www.eliridgway.com/james-chronister/interview-daily-serving.
Chronister, James. Brighton, 2012. Oil on Canvas; 60 x 60-inches. Photo credit: 2013 by Daniele Bini. https://sandiegostory.com/being-alone-paintings-by-james-chronister-at-lux/.
James Chronister
James Chronister, Lost London, Oil on Canvas 60 x 60" (Detail view)
James Chronister Lost London, Oil on Canvas 60 x 60" (Detail view)
James Chronister Lost London, Oil on Canvas 60 x 60" (Detail view)
James Chronister Lost London, Oil on Canvas 60 x 60" (Detail view)
James Chronister, Brighton, 2012. Oil on Canvas; 60 x 60". Photo credit 2013 by Daniele Bini
James Chronister, Untitled (Snowy Forest), 2009, oil on canvas 40 x 40 inches.