Today we met two wonderful artists  in St. Remy.

Pascal Bouterin is a wonderful young artist represented at Atelier Bouterin near our house. His work attracted our attention with strong abstract images, texture, and subtle colors…all evocative of J.M.W. Turner. We entered the gallery and were enchanted by this tall man who loved to talk about his art. The paintings were described as “oil and fire on wood” so we asked what that meant. He explained that he paints the image in oil on a wood panel. When it is dry he goes over the image with a torch to scorch and change the colors. He cannot predict how the pigments will react to the heat and, therefore, the results are sometimes a surprise. The beautiful images of cities and landscapes spark the imagination. Pascal is represented in galleries in New York and Atlanta and has been in shows in other cities throughout Europe and the US.

Click on his name above to visit his web site. Here are a couple of images from his site.

Denis Lacaux‘s art caught my eye as we passed Galerie Lacaux. I am not normally drawn to surrealistic art, but his images are entrancing. Jean had met and talked with Denis a few days ago and encouraged me to go talk to him about his art. I looked at a few pieces and asked him a provocative question, “I don’t normally like surrealist art. Why does your work appeal to me so much?” He was prepared for the question and we pursued a 30-40 minute conversation about color, value, and design in creating an image that attracts and holds the viewer’s interest. Denis Lacaux is a master at understanding complimentary colors, hot and cool temperatures, and the elements of design that bring the viewer into the scene. He spends weeks planning and executing each painting with each element carefully laid down in the correct place for maximum effect. We strolled through the gallery and discussed one painting after another. I was enthralled listening to his logical explanations of how each painting captivated me. What a thrill and joy! I wish he could come to Seattle to provide a class for my artist friends. Click on the links above to see his web site. Here are a couple of examples of his work.

I hope you enjoy these artists’ work as much as I do.

Paul