About Chaz
Chaz in his studio
A lifelong admirer of art, Chaz Yanavich spent years visiting museums and galleries, often wishing he could create work comparable to what he saw.
In the winter of 1999, after visiting Van Gogh’s: Masterpieces from the Van Gogh Museum in Washington, D.C., Chaz’s wife, Heidi, grew tired of hearing him talk about how much he wished he could paint. Without his knowledge, she bought him a set of pencils and a sketch pad and enrolled him in a portrait drawing class. That decision marked the beginning of his artistic training.
Following the portrait class, Chaz studied oil mixing, followed by pen and ink and watercolor. It was during this period that he met well-known Litchfield artist Ronald Lee Anderson and became his student, studying the art of portraiture. After Anderson’s passing, Ron’s longtime friend, antique dealer Thomas McBride, described Chaz as “Ron’s favorite student.”
Chaz continued his artistic education with a visit to Los Angeles artist Larry Gluck, renowned for his paintings of the Caribbean and as the founder of the Mission: Renaissance art school. He later attended a live workshop and online courses with Virginia artist Duane Keiser.
Today, portraiture and still life remain Chaz’s first loves, but he frequently explores other media and creative outlets. For Chaz, branching out is a way to keep his work fresh, challenge himself creatively, and remain open to new ideas and possibilities.
Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Chaz now resides in East Haddam, Connecticut, with his wife, Heidi, and their cat, Walter.
Chaz in his studio
A lifelong admirer of art, Chaz Yanavich spent years visiting museums and galleries, often wishing he could create work comparable to what he saw.
In the winter of 1999, after visiting Van Gogh’s: Masterpieces from the Van Gogh Museum in Washington, D.C., Chaz’s wife, Heidi, grew tired of hearing him talk about how much he wished he could paint. Without his knowledge, she bought him a set of pencils and a sketch pad and enrolled him in a portrait drawing class. That decision marked the beginning of his artistic training.
Following the portrait class, Chaz studied oil mixing, followed by pen and ink and watercolor. It was during this period that he met well-known Litchfield artist Ronald Lee Anderson and became his student, studying the art of portraiture. After Anderson’s passing, Ron’s longtime friend, antique dealer Thomas McBride, described Chaz as “Ron’s favorite student.”
Chaz continued his artistic education with a visit to Los Angeles artist Larry Gluck, renowned for his paintings of the Caribbean and as the founder of the Mission: Renaissance art school. He later attended a live workshop and online courses with Virginia artist Duane Keiser.
Today, portraiture and still life remain Chaz’s first loves, but he frequently explores other media and creative outlets. For Chaz, branching out is a way to keep his work fresh, challenge himself creatively, and remain open to new ideas and possibilities.
Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Chaz now resides in East Haddam, Connecticut, with his wife, Heidi, and their cat, Walter.