Born in 1948, Chatfield’s work has benefited from a steady trajectory arriving from a dedication to being in the studio consistently for many years.Chatfield holds her own place in the art world and has been free of outside pressures, giving her the ability to create a whole body of work that stands on its own.

I have painted consistently since childhood, starting with oils, and am currently painting with acrylics as well, which enables me to create multiple layers rapidly without muddying my palette. – Maureen Chatfield

As a contemporary artist, Chatfield blends New York Expressionism with Bay Area Figurative painting to create spontaneity and complexity. Her creative approach often reveals underlying pentimento—traces of earlier layers that add texture and complexity to her works. Layers of form and color build upon one another that create a sense of vibrancy and freshness. She does not pre-plan her paintings; instead, she allows them to emerge organically.

Chatfield’s artistic journey encompasses three main narratives - the first, is interior-focused works inspired by imagination. The second includes abstract depictions of nature based on direct observation. The third narrative explores the interaction of human experiences, such as family memories and childhood events. Together, these series form a body a work that embraces the artists desire to “spread beauty and joy through the transformative power of the creative process."

Chatfield has studied at numerous institutions including the Art Students League, New York, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York and Hunter College, New York. Currently teaching 'Modern Landscape' at the Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton, New Jersey, she lives and works in Tewksbury, NJ, in a historic 1780s stone building originally used for crafting moonshine. Influenced by artists such as Sargent, Manet, Whistler, Picasso, Van Gogh, Gorky, and Diebenkorn, Chatfield creates art that transcends boundaries, offering deeply personal yet universally resonant experiences.

View our virtual catalogue for Maureen Chatfield: Beyond Thought and we look forward to seeing you at the gallery!