Award-winning artist Darrell Chitty…tugboat builder, musician, river and airplane pilot, professional photographer and painter, historian, author, college professor, community activist…is a real Renaissance man whose never-ending quest for new knowledge and techniques leads him into the future of art with one foot into the past.  

He grew up deep in the Cajun country of south Louisiana where the traditional saying, Laissez les bons temps rouler, “Let the good times roll” in Cajun French is the way of life.  This rich culture and his love for Louisiana has had a lasting impact on everything he does.  In fact, at this very moment Darrell is creating a series of approximately 50 paintings which will travel throughout the State entitled “From Louisiana With Love”.

Darrell holds a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Photography and twice was selected as top portrait artist in Louisiana.  Professional artists come from all over the world journey to his “Cajun Shack” to study his techniques, which he hones by visiting museums around the world.  He is constantly experimenting and has pioneered ways to incorporate, photography, graphic design, traditional oils, encaustic applications and watercolor into masterpiece.  One leading art publication described Darrell as the “New/Old Master”.

“To him, it’s all about the light, which he uses to such magnificent effect, but there’s more, because he manages to convey such love and compassion for his subjects that it’s as if he sees into their very soul.”… taken from his book The Soul of St. Francisville.