IN THE STUDIO WITH ALAIN PICARD

CHILDLIKE PLAY

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:38:02 -0400

My son Lucas is three years old. He’s a moving target to say the least, overflowing with boundless energy and life. Lucas has that rare ability to fully engage in each moment, and bring the full spectrum of human emotion to each discovery he makes. Here we find him wielding a big paintbrush and the finest watercolors with absolutely no reservation (or even clothes for that matter).

Lucas is teaching me what it looks like to live and create without the binding restraints of fear and performance, just pure delight in the process.

I’m reminded of a passage in the Scriptures from the gospel of Matthew where Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Thanks for teaching your dad what childlike play really looks like, Lucas. You’ve opened a doorway for me to experience that same wonder once again in my own art and life.

You’re the greatest!

My Dad

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 23:34:33 -0400

I painted a portrait of my dad this year for the very first time. It was father’s day, and I thought it would be a great way to celebrate the occasion together. We had a fantastic time in the studio sharing conversation and art. My dad has always been a tremendous supporter of my decision to be an artist, am I’m very grateful for his encouragement. The portrait was his Father’s Day gift. I really like the way it came out, it feels just like dad’s looking back at me.

Thanks for a giving me a wonderful life, dad, you’re the greatest!

Best Portfolio Award

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:21:58 -0400

I had the incredible honor of winning the Best Portfolio Award at this year’s Art of the Portrait Conference in Washington D.C. Well over six hundred portrait artists came together to share ideas, learn from the best in the industry, and compete for top awards. Here’s a picture of the cover, and a spread from the inside as well. It’s amazing to consider that today’s technology allows me as an artist to produce beautifully bound books on demand for the display of my paintings.

Thinking of Evelyn

Wed, 20 May 2009 09:57:53 -0400

In 2005 I traveled to Rwanda with World Relief, a christian relief and development organization empowering the local Church to serve the most vulnerable around the globe. This trip captured my heart, and catalyzed a series of paintings depicting the beauty of the Rwandan people amidst the brokenness caused by the horrific genocide of 1994. Since then I have been supporting World Relief in their life-changing work with the people of Rwanda. This painting of a beautiful Rwandan girl named Evelyn is the most recent in my collection. I offer you the opportunity to take part in this restorative work through the purchase of my original painting, entitled “Captivating”. Please contact me for purchase inquiries.

I will contribute 40% of the proceeds from the sale of this painting to World Relief to support their child development program in Rwanda.

Click here to view the entire collection of Rwanda paintings on my website.
Click here to learn more about the work of World Relief in Rwanda

University Demonstration

Sun, 17 May 2009 23:22:58 -0400

I recently painted this pastel portrait of a writing major named Sam at Western Ct State University in Danbury CT. This was a demonstration done over two hours during a wonderful event held at the university, called Reasons for Hope. The event celebrated the arts along with the theme of social justice as genuine expressions of christian faith. I was honored to be a part of it, and to share my passion for art as well as my devotion to Christ.

I absolutely love painting these short portrait studies, as they are fresh and vibrant expressions of a moment shared between the artist and the sitter. You can see Sam’s sharp wit and confidence coming through in the portrait. What a joy this was to create!

Click here to view the painting process.

PORTRAIT OF SAM
Pastel on Canson
24 x 18”