Jay DeChesere

Jay DeChesere, a native of Kentucky, has always been interested in art, but decided on an architectural curriculum at the University of Kentucky in the 1960’s.  Moving to North Carolina in 1970 he opened his own firm as well as a construction company in Wilmington.  The commitment to these businesses put art on the back burner for many years.
 
It was not until early 2015 that Jay began painting in earnest.  His architectural background has been augmented with a number of workshops with nationally known watercolor and pastel artists.  These workshops, coupled with many books and DVD’s, together with his incessant goal of learning and improving his work are the crux of his training.
 
Jay is exploring various styles of pastel, watercolor and mixed media as well as a variety of subjects.  Gleaning images from photos from travels to France, French Polynesia, Guatemala, Thailand, hiking the AT and sailing much of the east coast of the US has provided a great inventory as well as an enjoyment of plein air painting.
 
His greatest inspiration has come from the diverse styles of artists such as Mary Whyte, Dawn Emerson, Joseph Zbukvic, Dean Mitchell, Jean Haines, Kees van Aalst. 
 
Jay has been honored in the two-year period with a number of juried show ribbons, an award at North Carolina Watercolor Society’s annual exhibition and publication of several works. 

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