Paul Chidlaw was born in Cleves, Ohio in 1900.  He resided in Cincinnati for the majority of his life.  He was a modern painter and teacher.  His colorful abstract paintings often suggested landscapes.  He also was known for his calligraphy-like gesture drawings.   He mentored numerous aspiring artists at the Art Academy of Cincinnati.  His artwork is displayed in the Cincinnati Art Museum and Xavier University.  There is a gallery in the Art Academy of Cincinnati named the "Chidlaw Gallery", because they considered him to be one of the finest artists (and certainly the earliest abstract expressionist) in the 20th century in the Cincinnati area. Towards the end of his life, his eyesight failed.  He then turned to music to inspire his final abstract paintings.

Chidlaw himself said about his art, “What I paint are essences, a visual poetry,” and “I compose in color … color and shapes are notes and chords.” 

Studied

Art Academy of Cincinnati; Fontainebleau School of FA

Member

Cincinnati Association of Professional Artists

Exhibited

PS Federal Buildings, 1936; 48 States Comp.; Cincinnati AM, 1939

Work

Cincinnati Zoological Gardens; Liberty Street USPO, Cincinnati

Resources

WW40