My name is Chad Glazener (he/him) and I’m an abstract artist and writer in Portland, OR.

My creative journey as a painter began when I encountered abstract art as an adult and experienced a deep, wordless connection. Standing before the works of Franz Kline, Joan Mitchell, Mark Rothko, and Cy Twombly, I saw and felt something vital. These works hummed with an energy that I can best describe as pure presence. The paintings commanded my attention and led me into interior silence.

In my work, I attempt to enter and attend to that energy of presence. I explore the creative potential of silence and the expressive power of gesture. It is a way that humans have articulated when words are not enough. From our earliest human ancestors to contemporary abstraction, organic marks hold meaning beyond what words can carry.

My creative practice is informed by my theatrical training in “Viewpoints”—a method of building composition through communal discovery. I fuse this embodied practice with my endless exploration of mysticism and contemplative practice. The result is dynamic abstract art that invites viewers to access their inner landscape and the treasures that await within.

In addition to my painting practice, I work as a freelance grant writer to help non-profits get the resources they need. By connecting good folks to each other, we can strengthen the ecosystem of human kindness. If you or someone you know needs help navigating the grant process, visit my consultant website.

Photos of the artist courtesy of Mark Pratt-Russum