CHRIS PFISTER
SMALL COSMIC LANDSCAPES
WINTER 2026
There is something to be said about the serene beauty of Chris Pfister small Cosmic Landscapes. Chris Pfister creates a compelling oeuvre inspired by the timeless American West landscapes where the views of sagebrushes rolling into infinity are expansive and spectacular.
CHRIS PFISTER , oils and pigments (created by the artist) on linen
Pfister’s latest flaxseed oil derived paints—his best yet—have taken on a new, more monochromatic palette. Black, brown, and grey predominate revealing the strange beauty of the Wyoming desert landscape.
CHRIS PFISTER ,small works, oils and pigments (created by the artist) on linen
Rolling HiIls, River Beds are revealed, inviting us to a meditation state where abstract and representational mingle.
CHRIS PFISTER , oils and pigments (created by the artist) on linen
CHRIS PFISTER , HANDS, Various Sizes: 12 x 16 to 16 x 24 in., oils and pigments (created by the artist) on linen
Chris Pfister makes his own paints and oils spending decades perfecting his medium working and re-working various oil mixtures in order to find the perfect consistency for each homemade pigment he uses. Starting with "Rolling Hills" to the River series, Pfister got intrigued by what happens to a landscape when you eliminate the horizon.
“About twenty years ago, I started making my own paint and messing around with different qualities of linseed oil that I hand washed and manipulated in various ways. Throughout my career, from the romantic paintings after Yale, I've been going down the rabbit hole of historic paint making methods; with this series l've come to a new, fuller relationship with the material. To simplify things, I decided to go with a grayscale, and from 2009-2018 I was painting mostly monochromes (these formed the core of my 2015 L.A. show at Jonathan Novak). After that, "Rolling Hills" was the foray back into color, "Lines" and "Nowhere Roads" being the culmination of the large monochrome landscapes. I love how they flip between abstract and representational, which invites the viewer to look at them super close, where they are literally landscapes of physical paint with their peaks and hollows, and from far away, where they become painted landscapes. The hand paintings are a sideline; when I lose focus on the big paintings, I spend a couple of days working on these small guys. Weirdly, they seem to compliment the landscapes.”
— Chris Pfister
CHRIS PFISTER
COSMOS 1
Oils and Pigments created by the artist on linen
size in.
CHRIS PFISTER
ROLLING HILLS
Oils and Pigments created by the artist on linen
40 x 56 in.
CHRIS PFISTER
NOWHERE ROADS
Oils and Pigments created by the artist on linen
40 x 60 in.
CHRIS PFISTER
LINES
Oils and Pigments created by the artist on linen
40 x 60 in.
CHRIS PFISTER
RIVER 1
Oils and Pigments created by the artist on linen
40 x 60 in.
CHRIS PFISTER
RIVER 2
Oils and Pigments created by the artist on linen
40 x 56 in.
CHRIS PFISTER
COSMIC LANDSCAPES
Various Sizes: 12 x 16 in. to 16 x 24 in.
Oils and pigments on linen
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ARTISTS NOT ON INSTAGRAM OR SOCIAL MEDIA: Where Process Meets Quality and Meaning.
In today's rapidly evolving art world, digital platforms have revolutionized how audiences discover art, allowing collectors to bypass traditional galleries in favor of Instagram and other online spaces. This shift has challenged the viability of smaller galleries, even affecting those with moderate wealth, as the influence of the traditional galeriste wanes. In a world oversaturated with noise, trends, and consumerism, the discreet, authentic voices of artists who choose to remain outside the digital revolution risk being overshadowed. Yet, it is precisely here that a galeriste can find joy in discovering and presenting works where the art making process remains untarnished by external pressures, preserving the vital connection to what matters most: the sacred inner sanctum of creation based on tactile, physical reality. Such is the world of artist Chris Pfister.
Nestled in a sagebrush basin of the American West, Chris Pfister's studio is a sanctuary of serene exploration. Here, the artist crafts a compelling body of work, drawing inspiration from the timeless masterpieces of the Romantic era. Researching and engaging the painstaking techniques of historic painters, Pfister dedicates himself to creating his own paints and oils, spending decades perfecting his medium. Through meticulous experimentation, he refines various oil mixtures to achieve the ideal consistency for each handcrafted pigment. The result is a collection of exquisite oil paintings that refuse technical shortcuts of a cyber era, capturing the viewer's imagination with their elaborate detail and historical resonance. Within the studio, the rich scent of oils permeates the air, inviting our senses into a state of tranquil reverence. Each work is a testament to deliberate craftsmanship and intentional creation, embodying the precious process of art that remains untainted by the digital age.
— Silas von Morisse, Article published on LINKEDIN December 2, 2025