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1985 was the most productive year for Chase in a decade. Throughout this period he continued his work with opera and film. He had been also influenced by his growing interest in miniature painting of the Near East.

Work in progress 1985








GRAFITTI DI VENEZIA No. 2 1985 60"x90" Collection: Jovanovich, New York City








BRACE WITH GOLD 1985 30"x40" Private collection, Carmel








GHIRLANDIA DI VENEZIA 1984 67" x 95" Collection: Jovanovich, Austen, Texas








BRACE WITH BLACK 1985 30"x40" Collection: Artomturas, San Francisco








FEAST OF SADEH 1983 48"x 60" Collection: A.Sarasthal, Los Angeles








FAKAR'S REVENGE 1983 48" x 60" Collection: Jovanovich, New York City

As these series of paintings developed at the end of the decade, the work became less colorful, and Chase explored ways of breaking up the rectangular shape. Gradually a more three dimensional way of working emerges, with various sized canvases being stacked or fitted together.

COLUMN AND BRACE 1986 54" x 80" Collection: Jovanovich, New York City








BLUE ABOVE 1988 Collection of the Artist








SMALL REMAINS 1988 Private Collection: San Francisco








ALBION PLACE 1985-88 Collection: Andrews, Seattle

By the end of the eighties, his work had expanded in size, and the canvases consisted of several parts, with wood and constructed elements as part of the compositions. The paintings now take from 3 to 5 years to mature, often reworked a number of times during a two or three year period before they are considered finished.

Ronald Chase in his studio 1988








PAINTER'S BLUE 1985-86 Collection: Jovanovich, Austen, Texas








PORTENTS 1986-89 17" x 28" Collection of the Artist








SUBJECT AND PLACE 1986-90 6'x10' Collection: Mark Vermuelen, San Francisco








TILLER'S BLUE 1987-90 5' x 10' Collection of the artist








Studio 540 Alabama 1985