Portrait of an Artist: Yves Lanthier

Artisan: Yves Lanthier

Yves Lanthier is an incredible artisan whose work has graced mansions, yachts and notably, the large Jupiter, FL estate of Celine Dion.? You might know him from the successful and critically lauded book The Art of Trompe L’oeil Murals.

Mr. Lanthier, a self-taught artist, was born in Canada and has resided in Boca Raton, Florida since 1989.? His travels throughout India, Asia and Europe have helped him learn various arts (such as how to play a bamboo flute) and also speak several different languages.? He credits a lucky encounter with an architect at his local Florida library for helping to continue the artisan career he has carved out.? He teaches trompe l’oeil seminars throughout the country and his latest offerings are beautiful Trompe L’oeil Workshop DVD sets in which he teaches how to sketch, transfer and paint.? Mr. Lanthier recently took the time for an e-chat with us.

RG: What is the first work of art you remember creating?
YL: My gift was realized at the age of six during a first grade drawing class. An assignment was given to sketch a person. Without any thought, I moved to the front of the class and started drawing my teacher, portrait style. (I must admit I had a little boy crush on her, so this seemed natural!) I was so involved, when I woke out of my trance, to my surprise almost the entire class was surrounding me, admiring my Rembrandt style sketch!

RG: In your travels, what have been some of the most inspiring spaces you?ve seen that had decorative painting?
YL: My journey began in St. Jerome, Quebec and continued on to India and the Himalayas in the early 1970′s, Munich, Amsterdam, Paris and Italy before returning to North America in the 1980′s. This vagabond existence helped shape me into the artist I am today. Everywhere I went, I saw the world as a painter would see it.?? As I traveled and each new scene unfolded, I would meditate on how I would transfer that vision onto canvas. Experimenting how paint, light and shadows could be mixed and blended emphasizing the lines of perspective bring those visions alive again.

I am influenced by the light and colors that South Florida delivers on an almost daily basis! As the scale of my commissioned homes grew into mansions and estates, the scale of my artwork grew along with it to fill the massive walls.

RG: Professionally, who are some of your inspirations?
YL: I was enlightened while studying the works and individual styles of the great Renaissance Masters. Late into the night drawing and experiment with painting techniques, poring over illustrated books. I felt as if the masters themselves were there teaching and guiding me! I foresaw myself, through the stages of my life, traveling to different parts of the world — living free and fulfilling my deepest desires and passions.

RG: How do you creatively approach every new commission?
YL: I envision the finished creation at first glance as soon as I see the space.? My best ideas are usually the first ones that come to mind.

RG: What inspires your work?
YL: An artist path can be very difficult at times, especially at the beginning of their career. Hard work and perseverance help to shape one on their journey. Creativity rises from every aspect of your being and that experience transcends from your paint brush onto the canvas. I hope this message will inspire all the art-felt children of the world to never give up their dreams.

I do hope he puts together a travelogue filled with his musings, experiences and art.? That would be lovely to read and see.? His company, Yves Art, has a wonderful Facebook Fan Page and his trompe l’oeil?murals and ceilings on canvas are now sold throughout the world.? He put the 4-DVD workshop together so that artisans would have a great way to learn all there is to know about creating?murals at their own pace and in the privacy of their own home.? In case you’d like to take his next class in person, it will be held in July in the beautiful city of Tremblant in Quebec, Canada.? Find information for both the DVDs and his workshops at his Yves Art website.? I hope you’ve enjoyed this interview and his incredible artistry — until next time!