In A Rest from Work, Challener turns his attention to the quiet dignity of everyday life, capturing a moment of pause amidst labour. His sensitivity to light and atmosphere reflects his European academic influences, while his subject matter resonates deeply with the Canadian experience. The warm, natural tones and gentle composition invite the viewer into a scene of stillness and contemplation, reminding us of the human need for rest, reflection, and renewal. His brushwork is both tender and deliberate, balancing detail with softness to create a mood that feels timeless and intimate.

Challener was a member of the Ontario Society of Artists (OSA), the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA), co-founder of the Society of Mural Decorators of Toronto, and a founding member of Toronto’s Arts and Letters Club. As part of the first generation of Canadian mural painters, he completed major commissions for theatres, hotels, and public buildings, including the Sir James Whitney Block at Queen’s Park in Toronto. A Rest from Work exemplifies his gift for elevating the ordinary into the poetic, a quality that secured his place among Canada’s early masters and continues to resonate with viewers today.