BIOGRAPHY

I grew up close to the Loire river in a small town called Argent-sur-Sauldre, at

about two hours south from Paris.

My drawing ability was pointed out by my grandmother at the age of seven, when I produced a picture of  Valencay’s chateau which we had just visited.

I don’t come from an essentially artistic family, but I spent a lot of time in my childhood studying drawing. I used to hide drawings under my bed, because art was not always considered as a serious study or pastime, compared to school work. The growth of modernism and success carried a burden of  fake Utopia, as art is no less chimerical than the aspirations of society and science.

Despite all this, the enthusiasm showed by grandma left an indelible and timeless stamp on my comprehension of the world. My interests in culture, literature, music and art kept growing strongly, but spirit was shrinking due to ordinary life expectations and my Eldorado became the experience of other cultures.

By the time I reached India at the age of 24, my drawing was coming on and I was starting to master black and white in my own style. I realized that most people wanted to touch my work as if their senses had awakened to a true illusion. India became a reflector; my drawings and portraits had brought me a long way, to reclusive communities, to holy men and to people who could sense the magic of art.

Back to Paris. I then met up with artists, poets and philosophers and discovered an individual depth of expression, culture, knowledge and language which could not be found as such in any educational establishment. A friend introduced me to Jo Plaskett, the well established Canadian neo-impressionist artist who gave me colour magic without saying a word. I offered him my first colour pastel work a few weeks later as I felt a response to his pictorial language.

A few years later I arrived in Wales, where I managed a recording studio in the County of Powys. The greens of the hilly landscape gave me much to think about.

I wanted to express music through art or I thought that music could be created in a more artistic environment or maybe the environment was all around to be included in the art of the music – I don’t know whether I really knew in which order, but at least I was pondering about it.

After the studio experience where I worked with musicians from Britain, Australia and America I went to live in South Wales where I sold prints of my art work and originals. I also met and entertained a relationship with Welsh artist John F.B Miles (the son of watercolorist Arthur Miles) whose fabulous work is a major contribution, very little known since he passed away. Through his circle of friends I have kept a great affinity for writer, artist and musician Allan Osbourne and  spiritual artist and writer Robert Beer.

In recent years I have taught and worked as an artist in residence in schools, colleges and prison. I also have been involved with festivals creating décor and UV lights at events such as the Glastonbury Festival, the Ross-on-Wye International Festival, the Maindy Festival, The Workhouse Festival and various clubs and venues.

The work displayed on this web site will show fine art, décor and finally photography which with any luck will grasp some of your attention, interest or curiosity. I hope you enjoy it.

Bruno THIBAULT.