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Q1: Let’s start with the common question, if you can kindly introduce yourself.
My name is Jacques de Beaufort, I’m a painter and College Professor. I currently live inWest Palm Beach,FL, but I spent most of the last decade in Los Angeles,CA.
Q2: How did you get into the field of your work?
It has been a long and interesting road. I first remember really getting excited about art while visiting the National Gallery in Washington DC as a child. Also my Grandmother’s paintings-which we had inherited after her death-were all around my house and it sort of suggested to me that this was something that I could do.
Thirty years later here I am. It was either this or Psychology, and I didn’t like the formality of Lab Work in college. I’m still dealing with the same material, but in a different way.
Q3: Do you have any current favourite artists, comic artists, photographers who may have influenced you to become the artist that you are?
As far as contemporary painters, I think Glenn Brown was a huge inspiration. People should also take another look at Pontormo, Balthus, Richard Dadd, Hans Baldun Grien, Gustave Moreau.
Q4: What are the main tools of your trade?
I keep it pretty simple. A pile of paint on a couple of tables and some medium made from refined linseed oil, stand oil, and some Gamsol. You really don’t need anything fancy- just maybe some good music and lighting.
Q5: How was it for you to learn the process of that? Did you teach yourself, take classes or learn from other existing artist’s tutorial?
I more or less taught my self over a very long period of time. There were a few Professors at the University of Virginia that were really inspirational, but I didn’t take away any technique from them. At Cal Arts I mostly learned what I was not. So after school it was just a long process of dogged determination and relentless toil. Sooner or later if you don’t give up you get better. Oil paint sort of explains itself after you learn a few basic things. Mostly it’s about layering and being patient. Never giving up.
Q6: Do you think its possible for you to describe the process of your art style, what are the dos and don’ts, the important aspects you set yourself to achieve your style of design?
I’m always collecting mental images and ideas. It starts usually with an idea for a theme-something that will tie together a body of work. After that it’s about teasing the idea out and looking at different permutations until it gets old. Creativity involves throwing a lot of crap at the wall and seeing what will actually stick to it,
I’m working more figuratively now, and have been increasingly using models-which is a great challenge.
What I’m really trying to do is to make something that seems like it comes from another world. How exactly this is achieved I really can’t say, and I’m not even sure I always achieve it.
Q7: What are the biggest struggles you encounter as an artist?
Being an artist is hilarious. If you take it too seriously you will end up with mental problems, so you need to figure out a way to make work for the joy of creativity. The entering of the work into the actual world is always the awkward and painful part.
It’s also important to realize that if you make really great work, this will involve many people not liking it or you. This is good because it is an indication that you have done something powerful. Hopefully you’ve done this without using some cheap ploy-in which case maybe it’s not so powerful.
Q8: Do you have any other future plans that don’t involve creative art?
I try and get to the beach occasionally.
Q9: Do you have any personal mottos, quotes or existing quotes that motivates you to do what you love doing? Can you share it with us or provide words of wisdom from your experiences for those who look up to you?
Nietzsche- “Become what you are”
Q10: What do you think the future will hold for all artists from all backgrounds from now?
Artists will always be important no matter if we are in some sort of nightmarish Mad Max scenario or what. As long as we remember to keep on painting, or what have you, we will be crucial members of the tribe on some level. And if that doesn’t work out, it’s not a huge jump to Shaman.
Q11: To round off the last question, where can your fans and new fans find updated news and progress from you, – Where can we find you?
Go to
http://jacquesdebeaufort.blogspot.com/
http://www.jacquesdebeaufort.net/