Painter Valdimir Chapko at Pinole Artisan Meeting

Painter Valdimir Chapko will show his artwork and do a demonstration at the February 7, 2014 Pinole Artisan meeting. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the Pinole United Methodist Church (2000 San Pablo Ave, Pinole).  All are welcome.

Val was born in a small mining town in Belgium in 1948. His parents were Ukrainian expatriates separated from their homeland by invading Nazi forces during the Second World War. In 1956 the Chapko family emigrated to the U.S. and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

At the age of nine Val was enrolled in a local art school run by a society of Ukrainian artists. He spent his formative years drawing in charcoal and painting in watercolor. Eventually he progressed to rendering in egg tempera and finally to painting in oils. Val studied at the Philadelphia College of Art, and graduated from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. He also served in the Marine Corps, making “Illustrator” his military occupational specialty, and served out his tour of duty working for the Public Affairs Department of the 4th Reserve and Recruiting District in Philadelphia.
Val spent much of his career painting billboards. He now spends all his spare time in front of an easel.

Currently a resident of Pinole California, Val has been a member of the Society of Western Artists and the Mt. Diablo Artists Association. He has exhibited in numerous art shows in and around Contra Costa County and has given portrait-painting demonstrations to art clubs around the Bay area. He is currently showing his paintings at Gallery 1870 in Yountville and at New Masters Gallery in Carmel.

Click here to see some of Val's artwork online.