Marc Antoine Goulard 'French 1964' Oil Painting on Panel

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This painting is signed and dated 2012 on verso

Born in France in 1964, Marc-Antoine Goulard began his career as … Read more This painting is signed and dated 2012 on verso

Born in France in 1964, Marc-Antoine Goulard began his career as a classical musician. He studied the flute and composition at the Paris Conservatory of Music where he graduated with honors and became a concertist. In 1985, he left France for the USA to study saxophone and jazz at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. While music, with its foundation of tone and composition, provided him the means for expression, it is in painting that Goulard found his creative voice.

He discovered painting and received a residency at the Josef Albers and Annie Foundation in Bethany, Connecticut. Early influences included such visionaries as Mark Rothko, Antoni Tàpies, and Nicholas de Staël, who, interestingly, was an ardent lover of music and drew inspiration from musical performances. Continuing to study and refine his techniques and style, Marc-Antoine’s work was first exhibited in Boston in 1990. Since then, he has had many exhibitions in Paris, LA, New-York and his work is found in prestigious collections in Europe and America.

Marc-Antoine creates wonderfully evocative paintings. At first glance, they are pleasing compositions of color. But as you keep looking, the layers of colors and horizontal flow often suggest landscapes or seascapes. He paints on wood panels starting by applying a background of white as the base of his canvas, and then begins building up layers of color, many layers creating subtle combinations of translucent shades. He works with painting knives instead of brushes, like a spatula, which works for him as an extension of his hand. His musical and jazz background is in his work, with light, color, inspiration and spontaneity.

“I draw inspiration for my paintings directly from nature; rather than re-creating a landscape on a canvas, I aim to express its energy and essence. Where some people see places and things, I am stimulated by light, form, and emotional response to my surroundings. The varying colors and subtle network of shadows and light that are revealed through the layers project a sense of atmosphere and tension that draws the viewer into the mystical and mysterious. At this point, it is my hope that what begins as a visual experience transcends to a deeper emotional journey.”

Today, Marc-Antoine lives between Paris, London and New-York. See less