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Thu, 01 Apr 2004
CBC News Online, The Arts Report
Constant inspiration means rapid-fire production for Vancouver artist
Trevor Hughes
VANCOUVER - A Canadian artist, whose rapid-fire work ethic has led to paintings done on everything from canvas to napkins, has returned home after successful shows in London and New York, where galleries displayed his work alongside that of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. |
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(Photo: Vivienne Agius) |
For his latest exhibit in Vancouver, prolific painter James Picard selected a new 5000-square-foot gallery to showcase more than 100 of his numerous creations. They range from ink drawings to oil paintings to sculptures.
"I've been painting like a fool in the last couple of years, completely inspired by everything that's been happening," said the Toronto-born, Vancouver-based artist.
"I'm on the plane and I'm painting a watercolour. I'm painting in oils in the hotel, and acrylic and everything. I wanted a space [where] I could show that range."
Picard's work has been described as classic impressionist and, using broad strokes on his canvas, the distinctive artist paints very quickly. The result of this rapid technique is that his home is now crammed with finished pieces, some of which are featured in the Vancouver exhibit.
Though they may be hastily done, Picard's work has developed an international reputation. At a recent exhibit, not only was his work deemed worthy of display alongside some of the century's greats, Picard was even mistaken to be one of their contemporaries.
"I was wedged in between Picasso and Matisse," he said of a painting recently shown at the New York Art Fair. "At the opening, of course, I'm standing around listening to people and I feel very privileged to be included with these great artists.
"Some of the people are commenting 'Oh Picard. Wasn't he the guy in Paris in 1915 who hung out with Georges Braque?' so it was quite funny."
A solo exhibit of Picard's work continues at Vancouver's Ayden Gallery until April 12, after which he returns to London for another solo show.