Yvan Genest, Jean Gabriel Lambert & Cherie Sibley Paint at Galleria Dante
 Claire Guarniere
| | See more works by these 3 artists, who will be painting every Mon-Wed in February at Galleria Dante, Basilio Badillo #269 on the south side of Puerto Vallarta. | |
As part of Galleria Dante's seasonal "artists in residence" program, you can catch artists Yvan Genest, Jean Gabriel Lambert and Cherie Sibley creating new works every Monday-Wednesday in February at this popular south side Puerto Vallarta art gallery.
Yvan Genest, born in Montreal, Canada, has spent more than 30 years devoted to painting. "Long before I painted, I sketched, anywhere, everywhere, even in the classroom. It was my first real way of expression, even when I wrote or played music for a living. In my teens, I worked as a singer in variety of venues throughout Paris, just before diving into the world of colors. When I returned to my native country, I decided to paint and literally knocked on every door to create opportunities for myself."
In this way he started to walk the path that led him to his contemporary style. Today, his paintings reflect his view of the image of the soul. "I am a Fashion Designer for the spirit, I simply dress the soul," he says.
Yvan is presenting his new works, The Rock Band series. "As a child I drew portraits of rock musicians. It was the time of the Beatles, the Stones among others. I was fascinated by the way they recreated themselves by changing their long hair, moustache, beard etc. I was drawing imaginary faces of imaginary bands while I was inventing their imaginary pop star lives. Years passed and I forgot about this passion... I eventually became a painter, but painted many other subjects, even though I remained fascinated by the rock albums covers. Two years ago, I was emptying my Montreal studio loft, full of 20 years of creations and I found some of these sketches. I decided that Rock albums cover where a wonderful subject, a real subject, mirrors of our society and culture. The back part of the album is very important also, it is a major part of the painting, as when I look at it, I can almost hear the painting."
In February, Yvan will be painting at Galleria Dante on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 am to 2 pm.
Jean Gabriel Lambert, also a native of Montreal, first came into the public eye through acting and dance. Later, he added writing and singing to his artistic accomplishments and soon after, in a natural progression, he began drawing and painting.
This abstract artist started his career with pastel, ink and paper, then oil and finally settled on acrylics. Again and again, his canvases interweave intimate stories and universal issues. In Global Warming, inner turbulence finds its echo in the cosmos.
In another painting, we imagine ourselves floating above an immense landscape. The paint is laid on densely, darkly, with blues the color of night bordering with beaches, like waves of serenity.
Jean-Gabriel's artistic expression continues to emerge and assert itself as he moves forward in life. The dialogue with the public provoked by his paintings nurtures him and gives him the desire to open it ever further through his art.
He was born in Montreal, Canada. The artistic journey that he embarked upon twenty-five years ago has led him around the word in a quest for inspiration. For the past seven years, his favorite destination has been Mexico, Puerto Vallarta in particular, where he is inspired by the light and colors of its spectacular natural environment.
Lambert paints with ease and is enthusiastic, as well as emotional about his painting and life in general. When you meet Jean-Gabriel, you think he is much younger than he is. Maybe it is this "inner child," which frees him from any inhibitions when he paints that has given him the confidence which helps him to create and sell well.
In February, Jean-Gabriel will paint at Galleria Dante on Mondays and Tuesdays from 11 am to 2pm
Cherie Sibley's art background and experience with people eventually moved her to the front of the class, and now with five years' experience as a teacher, giving private and scheduled classes to a maximum of 12 to 14 students in her own studio, she is busy all year.
"Teaching provides me the opportunity to bring adults back to their creativity," she says. Her thrill in teaching is seeing that "light bulb go off in a student’s mind." Trying to make the environment of creating art secure and non-judgmental, she believes that most often it’s confidence that holds everyone back.
"I try to make the materials and methods fun and easy to use, so that the student enjoys the experience." Best of all, Cherie acknowledges, "As a result of finding my passion for teaching, I have become a better artist. It has made me articulate my craft more clearly and advance my abilities as a painter extensively."
If you have been following the art career of Cherie Sibley over the last few years, you will have seen her growth as a painter. Some years back, she was remembered for her many tongue in cheek, satirical Political Cats & Cats of the Rich and Famous paintings.
You know the old saying that pets resemble their owners, well, Cherie did just that with: Fidel Castro, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Margaret Thatcher and Marilyn Monroe, to name a few. From there she went on to painting pigs – like the paintings entitled When Pig's Flying First Class, Playa Los Puercos and Swine Serenade we had on display at Galleria Dante.
Cherie finally finessed her brush stroke, and after traveling extensively, started painting portraits of the people she saw through her lens, from Morocco to Ecuador. The "Bird Lady," as she is now fondly called, mesmerizes her admirers with her paintings of flamingos, cormorants, pelicans, mallards, all forms of water fowl.
Her use of light captures the water in motion and the birds in flight. Everyone agrees that she has found her calling. If you would like to see her paint or ask about her classes, Cherie will be painting on Wednesdays from 10 am to 1 pm throughout the month of February at Galleria Dante.
Open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, Galleria Dante is located at Basilio Badillo #269 on the South Side of Puerto Vallarta. |
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Vallarta Living | Art Talk | February 2009 
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