How Does He Do That? Part Deux

If you read our last blog (Part Une), you now know that Pascal Bouterin is a passionate and committed artist who is dedicated to his art and creative journey…and that we’re right behind him every step of the way.

Not only is Pascal great fun to work with, but he’s also extremely serious about the technical aspects of his work. He’s truly one of those individuals who never stops wanting to learn.

What we love about this new exhibit is that it’s a fascinating montage of Pascal’s evolution as an artist. We especially love the way these pieces represent opposites. Somehow, effortlessly and with great grace, Pascal combines a number of opposing subjects.

Echange de Cultures is all about Pascal’s love of two vastly different cultures: his native France and the United States, typified with the use of iconic images (this one struck a chord with all of us Francophiles here at the gallery.)

We love the way two cultures meet in this painting, Echanges de Culture

He also plays with urban culture and architecture versus naturally created ports, harbors and landscapes.

Le Port Provencal is a “panoramique,” allowing the eye to roam over the canvas and take in the natural (but softly abstracted) beauty of a port. Brushstrokes barely suggest the presence of white-sailed boats.

And, he never forgets about romance, so a number of paintings feature the merest hint of figures (he says inspired by his love of music and musical notes). He’s painting more strongly than ever with bold lines and powerful strokes that are balanced with his trademark intricate details and delicate brushwork.

Abstraction et Le Boulevard is a perfect example of Pascal’s light touch with romance. His elongated, elegant figures under an umbrella help take the eye to the focal point of the painting – that glorious blurry spot when the road converges.

And to watch Pascal paint is a real treat (note: he’ll be here at the gallery with easel and paints on Saturday, March 27^th from 1-4 p.m. for a painting demonstration). He applies layer upon layer of oil paint until he has the perfect surface, full of texture and depth, upon which to add the more intricate details of the painting: a structure, figures or ports. A painting, from beginning to finish, can take hours especially when one factors in drying time (oils are notoriously long-drying). Like many artists, Pascal enters his own “zone” when he paints and is happily unconscious of commotion going on around him.

During our recent visit to Pascal’s warm and inviting studio (filled with just the right amount of clutter and painting paraphernalia – and paintings, of course), he let us in on a little nugget of knowledge. He had discovered an amazing “util” (tool) that produced the most remarkable results when wielded by his competent hand. When he pulled the object out, we all struggled for a minute in our respective languages to come up with the right name. “Essuie-glace!” shouted Pascal. “Squeegee” we yelled in unison, and then all stood in amazement to see what this lowly common tool could do, in the hands of a magician.

Le squeegee: it does more than clean windows

Pascal, after carefully studying some brave window-washers atop an Atlantan skyscraper, had stopped in ‘Ome Depot to pick one up and immediately loved the sweeping effects of his squeegee. Of course, he realizes he’s hardly the first, nor will he be the last, artist to manipulate paint on canvas with a squeegee. But his excitement was contagious and all we can say is Long Live the Essuie-Glace - the results are spectacular.

Even hard-working artists get to take a break. We love this photo of a relaxed Pascal enjoying a little lunch.

Tata!

HH