The Texas state capitol was built in the 1880’s with proceeds from the sale of millions of acres of public lands in the Texas panhandle. The land that financed this magnificent building became the great XIT Ranch - itself a Texas legend. This is Rod Chase's original painting of the great building - a fine work of art by one of our best contemporary painters.
As one of today's most recognized and finest photorealist painters, Rod Chase has earned the highest respect of his peers and the admiration of legions of collectors. Each painting from the artist's easel is a masterpiece created from much research and many photographs taken of each of his subjects. This technique, along with the aid of historical photographs, results in a timeless quality in each of Chase's works.
In his quest for mystique, accuracy, and a true sense of history, Chase does extensive research. The artist recently visited New York to obtain material in planning for a new painting. The talented artist says, "Being a photorealist, I am dependent on finding accurate reference material for each painting." Chase works with acrylics on canvas, spending hundreds of hours on each painting with the ultimate goal of presenting a fresh and unique view to familiar subjects.
The artist is acknowledged as a master of breathtaking scenes depicting our country's natural and historical treasures. Chase has traveled several times to Washington, D.C., and painted images of such famous landmarks as The White House, the Capitol, and the Supreme Court building to name a few. The artist felt honored as well as professionally challenged to paint these subjects.
Chase also paints magnificent foreign landscapes. The artist has traveled to Italy where he was inspired to paint St. Peter's Basilica and the romantic canals of Venice. The artist's outstanding talent in his use of light is evident in "The Glory of San Pietro" and "The Mists of Morning." Without traveling to these world-famous locales, the viewer is able to feel as if the scene is unfolding before them in person.
Rising early to photograph the dramatic light of sunrise or awaiting the soft, moody glow of sunset, Chase captures the emotion and direction in which he will paint his subject. The artist will continue to create awe-inspiring scenes by combining antique and modern photographs with just the right touch of artistic license. Rod Chase is represented by Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio, Texas. He is published exclusively by Somerset Fine Art.This native of Canada and his wife live in her home state with their five children in the Texas Hill Country. In 1999, Chase became a United States citizen.
