F o u c r a s - a r t.com
a r t f o r t h e s o u l
biography
Here is a short resumé of my artistic
career
I was born in 1962 in Valence, France and raised in that city sometimes called "the door of Provence". I've been attracted by the arts since childhood, especially painting. I loved it in school. I also took some side classes with an artist teacher who helped me a great deal with my drawing skills.
1984 : At the age of 21, first journey overseas - Chose California where I decided to make it my residence for some time. During my outings to the Pacific beaches I used to paint watercolors and gouaches - Worked in a french bakery then found a job as a decorative painter in homes of West Hollywood and Pacific Palissades.
1987 : After having spent three years in Los Angeles I depart to hawaii with my salvadorean wife met two years before in L-A. In Honolulu I painted my first acrylics on canvas thanks to a little old french lady called Jeanne that my wife and I met in a mall where I was working as a framer. Jeanne, offered to me her brushes and paints - A few days later my first paintings inspired from those luxuriant tropical landscapes came out of my studio.
1988 : The call of the south sea islands goes on - 1st trip to Tahiti in the steps of Gauguin where the attraction of the turquoise lagoon and the wild evergreen vegetation stirs up my desire to interpret these landscapes. Sold my first two paintings in Moorea (Tahiti's sister island)
1989 : Back to California but still impregnated with those paradise islands I paint a series of paintings of Polynesia - First prospection in the galleries of the city of angels. Exhibition of my Tahitian paintings at the entrance of the L.A.C.M.A (Los Angeles County Museum of Arts) where I set up my paintings on the sidewalk for 30 minutes before being kicked out by the security !
1990 : Back to France - First real exhibition of my Tahitian paintings in Valence my home town.
1994 : Sell a few pieces in an art gallery in Valence - Group exhibitions in southern France.
1994 to 1998 : New projects in life - Exhibitions of my artwork in different places -Time to explore new technics - Work with mixed media on canvas - God grants me a large mansion in the French Alps where I settle with my family and where I set up my first real studio
1998 : After a year of hard artistic labor I decide to become a professional artist painter - Good sales - Galleries encourage me to keep the good work.
1999 to 2004 : Succesive exhibitions in professional art galleries in southern France
2004 : First trip to Jerusalem - Divine impression - Decide excercise faith through art and art through faith- New call.
2005 : Progressive change in the themes and technics I use - Inspiration comes from biblical topics or social issues of our time.
2006 and 2007 : Two exhibitions in the Galerie de l'Espace culturel Leclerc in Gap, France on those themes will know quite a success - The desire to follow on that path to share a new reflection of life through my art is now under way.
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