Nationality Canadian Education Sheridan College Role Artist | Name James Picard Occupation Painting, Sculpture | |
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Full Name James William Pickard Born 25 January 1964 (age 60) ( 1964-01-25 ) Burlington, Ontario, Canada Books James Picard: Watercolours | ||
Who is james picard
James Picard (born James William Pickard, Jan. 25, 1964) is a Canadian artist, teacher and humanitarian. He divides his time between Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and Los Angeles, CA.
Contents
- Who is james picard
- James picard s the dark the wounded documentary film trailer
- Early Life Education
- Current Work The Dark and The Wounded
- Teaching
- Humanitarianism
- Selected Achievements Events
- References
His most recent series of paintings, The Dark and The Wounded, represents a visionary fusion of Expressionism and social consciousness. It's an immersive artistic experience; his paintings are showcased in some of the world’s most troubled locations, like abandoned prisons and asylums. It is currently on a global tour, opening in Alcatraz Prison.
Considered one of Canada’s foremost painters, Picard is well known for his extraordinary artistic range and mastery of many styles. He is also an extremely prolific artist, and is known to work on as many as 20 pieces simultaneously. Picard has won many awards for his work over the course of his nearly 40-year career.
In addition to his artwork, Picard has close ties to Hollywood. He’s worked on numerous films and television shows, including Tim Burton’s 2014 movie “Big Eyes.” He is also the subject of a documentary, “James Picard Off the Canvas.” Some of the celebrities he has worked with over the years are also collectors.
Picard names Francis Bacon, Pablo Picasso, Rembrandt and Monet as influences.
James picard s the dark the wounded documentary film trailer
Early Life & Education
Picard was born in Burlington, Ontario on January 25, 1964. As a child, he was driven by creative forces, teaching himself to paint by reading extensively. By 12 years old, he was already entirely committed to his craft. Picard would draw for hours every day, despite a lack of support from his father.
Picard continued to pursue this artistic career in adulthood. Picard studied at Sheridan College and the Ontario College of Art. He worked with several artists: Cuban watercolourist Ramon Amor, Canadian sculptor Thaddaeus Szpelowitz, Canadian painter Harold Town. Harold Town stated in a written note that Picard's talent "is rare in the art world".
In 1988 Picard moved his young family from Toronto to Vancouver, British Columbia where he raised his two children, Rachael and Simon Picard, while continuing to paint and sculpt. Since 1995, he has taught at numerous post-secondary institutions in the greater Vancouver region. He is recognized for his inspirational teaching. Throughout his adult life, Picard has been active in humanitarian work in Vancouver, Los Angeles and New York City.
Current Work & The Dark and The Wounded
Picard’s working studio is in the Commercial Drive area of Vancouver. While he generally works in oils, acrylics, watercolors and inks, Picard is also a skilled sculptor. His artwork is primarily representational, and he has experimented with many different styles over the decades of his career.
His newest series, The Dark and The Wounded, showcases a bold, socially conscious expressionism. It is also more conceptual, even abstract, than his past work.
The Dark and The Wounded is an experiential exhibition. Each show explores dark and submerged aspects of the human experience, hoping to draw a public spotlight and help heal some of these wounds. This body of work draws on both personal and historical experiences for inspiration.
These works approach internal struggles, like fear and loneliness, as well as larger societal issues such as the prison system and child abuse. They are shown in some of the most troubled and controversial locations on the planet, including abandoned asylums, prisons and more. A custom musical soundscape, composed by Jeff Danna, is part of the experience. This is a radical departure from the art world’s tradition of showing contemporary art in white cube spaces. Picard is recontextualizing his work in this alternative locations to help viewers connect more deeply with the concepts, according to press releases.
Picard’s watercolors have also garnered critical acclaim. They were the subject of a book, “James Picard: Watercolors,” and they’ve also been the focal point of many of his solo and group shows.
Picard's paintings and sculptures are in private and public collections.
Teaching
Picard is an active and gifted teacher of art, both practice and theory. He teaches drawing, painting and sculpture in Vancouver at various post-secondary and community locations including Emily Carr University of Art and Design, North Vancouver Neighbourhood House and Picard Studios. He has arranged student shows to give students an opportunity to show their work. He is known for his inspirational teaching that focuses on the creative process.
In 1998, Picard set up the first sculpture class for visually impaired students in the Vancouver area. He taught students in Harlem, New York City for three summers from 1996 to 1999. In the summers from 1996-1998, he also taught sculpture to children in Harlem, New York.
Picard's creative philosophy is based on following one's own creative urge. He firmly rejects producing art solely for the demands of the market and has spoken out to artists and students, urging them to avoid doing so.
Humanitarianism
Picard is devoted to philanthropy and humanitarianism, particularly children’s health and welfare. These are a few of the initiatives in which he’s been involved: