About the Artist

Meet Chat Forbes

Oil painting of a hilly European city street with colorful buildings, parked cars, and two pedestrians walking along the sidewalk. A castle or fortress is visible on a hill in the background under a blue sky.

The Arts

It is important to contribute to the world in a positive manner through my art. For me, the passions of the arts are at the foundation of what's wonderful in the human experience.

Art, music, literature, film, photography, dance delve deeply into the human spirit and help create meaning to this life we have been given. It's here that communing with nature, the passions, idle thoughts and daydreams, conversation, scientific wonders combine to express what's in the human soul.

My university studies were shaped by a love for design, drawing, printmaking and painting beginning at West Valley College in California, then UC Berkeley and ultimately to UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Fine Arts.

What began as trips to art museums as a child left to freely roam the galleries, reading books from my father's extensive library and listening to all genres of music through my mother and father has culminated in a life given meaning through the arts.

Homage a Matisse. An art piece depicting an interior room with a colorful wall covered in abstract and patterned artwork, a man relaxing on a pink armchair, a woman sitting on a vibrant rug with a cat, a fireplace, and various potted plants.

Background

I’ve spent my entire life living in various parts of wonderful Northern California until recently moving to Yachats on the beautiful Oregon Coast. As an ocean person it's mandatory to have close access to the sea.

My parents instilled in me appreciation for the arts, to never stop learning and to actively engage in sports. I was taught to be kind to our fellow man, and animals, and to respect the world around us.

In my many trips to Europe I am continually amazed at the beauty and importance of art in their culture. I most certainly consider the Europeans’ centuries of tradition in music, art and literature a profound influence on my education and background.

I thank my art teachers for nurturing my enthusiasm for art and my love of creating art. Of utmost importance, I humbly thank my late art teacher Christopher Lane, lifelong friend and teacher - a man of beautiful aesthetics and kind nature.

Bright abstract painting featuring a large green tree, colorful buildings, a stream, and hills, with vibrant sky and clouds.

Education

University of California, Santa Cruz
B.A. Fine Arts, 1980

Shows

University of California, Berkeley

1978: submitted and accepted Oil Painting, entitled “Diane in Hotel de Medici”, in student art show, Anthropology and Art Practice building

University of California, Santa Cruz

1980: one man Bachelor of Arts show, Porter College

A colorful painting of a house surrounded by trees, with a winding path leading to the front steps. The house has a yellow door and yellow window panes, with a green roof. The scene is set at night with a bright yellow moon in the sky, partially obscured by green leafy branches.

Low Roar album artwork, “House In The Woods”, 2025