I retired from my last career position in 1998 and committed to pursuing my interest in oil painting.  As any serious painter knows, the “stuff” associated with oil painting accumulates unceasingly.  All artists seem to go through a “making do” phase of setting up and taking down painting projects in only marginal work spaces.  After working this way for a while I was motivated to build the best studio I could reasonably afford.  Encouraged and assisted by my soul-mate and aided by the generosity of friends and loved ones in terms of labor and support the job was done in about four months. Thus, the Green Door Studio and Gallery became a reality in May 2005.

The Studio is not primarily a place of commerce, even though some of the works displayed in this website are priced for sale. Rather, it is a place for me and several other artists I am privileged to coach to pursue our passion for oil painting and more recently for sculpture as well.      

In a nutshell, the philosophy of The Green Door Studio and Gallery is to encourage artists of all skill levels to carry on with their creative efforts. Training in the art of oil painting is offered to any interested persons, but only three at one time. Sculpture is pursued in a “club” fashion, with groups meeting a couple of times per month.  The groups are small, the camaraderie is warm and the progress of each artist is undeniable.

I hope you enjoy your visit to the Green Door website!

Charles Hazelip