Bio

I was born in Belfort, northeast of France. From a very young age, I taught myself the arts of sketching, coloring, using different media and opening my mind on new styles. I finally took a 2-year class at the College of Fine Arts in Belfort. I also built up my own experience by studying great artists from the Impressionists period up to now.

I remember that I would copy famous paintings by Manet, Renoir, Delacroix, Degas, Dali or Richter... to please my friends!

Traveling in Europe and Asia led me to diversify my ways of addressing a theme. I also gained a lot through a network of new artists. In 2012 due to a stay in the USA, I started being a full-time artist. I took several classes with artists such as Karen Margulis, Margaret Dyer, Helen De Ramus, Liz Haywood-Sullivan, Richard McKinley.

Today, I express my talent in different styles and media, preferably using pastel because of its texture. It is just like drawing, painting and sculpting at the same time. I find this medium very enjoyable. I also love using acrylic painting.

I mostly paint from photographs or with a model in front of me. My aim is to take the opportunity of showing some characteristics of our usual world, of our routine, or focusing on the intriguing aspects of life.  I like figurative painting when it captures the light and the shadow of a moment. I also appreciate abstract painting when it narrates intricate feelings. My masters are Rembrandt, Delacroix, the Impressionists like Renoir, Monnet, Degas, and the contemporary artists like G. Richter, K. Haring and so many others!

I want my work to resemble me : passionate but a bit self-contained, fanciful and serious at the same time.

Since 2013, my work has been shown in many places in Atlanta and around, including the Atlanta Artist Center in Buckhead, Johns Creek Art Center, the 'late' Gallery 4463 in Acworth, the Acworth Cultural Art Center, the Southeastern Pastel Society, the Oglethorpe Museum of Art, not to mention all. I am a SPS member, and my work has been awarded several times since I started pastel painting.

Do not hesitate to send your comments to : 

harperfrancoise@gmail.com

or visit : http://southeasternpastel.org/