Welcome!
Gary Chafe, hyperlocal artist and unforgettable character, created art in Santa Barbara for over 60 years. The mediums include printmaking, oil painting, etchings, bronzes and stone sculpture. Here you may browse the work, seeing his vision of this Southern California paradise. His affectionate interpretations of community characters and the splendid natural environment are like a stream of consciousness that flowed easily from his heart and hand.

Chafe
The Monotypes
200 Page Art Book
First Edition
Pre-Order Here
$50. plus shipping
Estimated
Printing Date
Dec 1st, 2024



Curious?
The Details.....
I am Maya, Gary Chafe’s daughter. To preserve my father’s work, I am creating an art book. A prolific artist, he left us an impressive body of work. I passionately believe it must be seen and documented. Although he worked in many mediums, his skills flowered fully in his monotype prints, and many consider those to be his masterworks. With a few deft strokes he could create complex human situations, vent his rebellious nature or depict the natural beauty of his surroundings. Gary’s art affectionately and humorously rendered his community during an exciting time in a splendid environment. For 25 productive years he lived in downtown SB, in a 25 square ft. studio, with his hand-crank press as the centerpiece. By printing a book of these images, his work will be shared with art lovers on a scale impossible in his lifetime. With your help, this project will soon be realized! Chafe’s artwork will be documented and shared in a deluxe 200-page book for aficionados, artists, students and scholars alike to browse, study and enjoy. The work remains relevant - Chafe’s humanist perspective is unique and original, and his is an important part of art history in Santa Barbara. In printing this book Gary’s reputation will be indisputably established.
This idea was conceived before my Dad passed away in 2017, and since then we have been steadily working towards this goal. I've put together a dedicated team; a designer who deeply appreciates his work, an author and an editor, both of whom knew and loved him well. In 2022 we began selecting the best images, making thematic and flow decisions, deciding on copy, and conducting interviews. Recently, we began the actual lay-out. Now it’s time to hold fundraisers and compensate the professionals. Once we meet our pre-sales goal of fifty orders, the files will go to the printers and very soon after, you will receive your copy. We will keep you updated as to when you can expect it!

Meditation
What is a Monotype?
A monotype is a singular print, i.e. a Mono-Type. It is a reductive process, wherein the pigment is removed, rather than added.
The ink is thick and it takes a confident hand to move it with skill. The work must be printed quickly, and Chafe tended to print on very fine Japanese rice paper, adding to the ephemeral quality of these pieces.

What is a monotype?





