Tomas Chatfield was born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1921, and as a young boy, he dreamed of becoming a pilot. However, before he could enter high school, his art teacher, Marjorie Hudgins, encouraged him to pursue a career in art instead, recognizing his talent and potential. After completing public school, Chatfield attended Northern Vocational High School, where he received a comprehensive education in various graphic forms. Upon graduating, he secured a position in the art department of Famous Players, Canada's leading cinema chain, where he designed newspaper advertisements during the day while attending the Ontario College of Art at night.After eight years at the Ontario College of Art, Chatfield initially aimed to be a portrait painter. However, in the 1950s, with encouragement from a fellow artist, he shifted his focus to landscape painting, marking a significant change in his artistic direction. By 1959, his dynamic landscapes were distinctive enough to prompt Toronto's Upstairs Gallery to host his first solo exhibition. Since that time, he has held over 30 solo shows across Canada. In 1967, he left Famous Players to dedicate himself to painting full-time in his home studio in Oakville, just west of Toronto. As a charter member and former president of the Society of Canadian Artists, Chatfield exhibited his work with several prestigious organizations, including the Royal Canadian Academy, the Ontario Society of Artists, and the Art Gallery of Hamilton. He also received an award in the 1969 “Artists’ Choice” show at the Canadian National Exhibition. Following his debut at Upstairs Gallery, his one-man shows were featured in various Toronto galleries, including the Scottish Gallery (1962), Sobot Gallery annually from 1964 to 1969, and the Shaw-Rimmington Gallery (1970-71).In Oakville, he showcased his art at the Upper Canada Country Club (1965) and the Arcade Gallery (1966). His work was also displayed at Edmonton’s Downstairs Gallery in 1969, 1970, and 1971, and at the Hemingway Gallery in Jamestown, New York, in 1969. The Damkjar-Burton Gallery exhibited his pieces in 1968-69, and the Damkjar Gallery in Burlington held a show in 1971. Additionally, his artwork was presented in the United States and featured in a major exhibition at Canada House in London, England.
