In his black and white figurative art, Louisiana native Brian Thibodeaux likes to paint on unusual surfaces. Current choices include cereal boxes and paper box lids.
Artist: Thibodeaux was born and grew up in Rayne, a small town in south Louisiana. He began to draw as early as age five, and with the validation from adults, continued to create.
In high school, Thibodeaux selected art as an elective. He had an encouraging art teacher who recognized his abilities and wanted him to succeed, helping him with documentation to attend art school.
Though he sold his first painting in 1991 to his high school English teacher for $50, he didn’t pursue art school. Instead, he went to work in the oil and gas industry, but kept sketching and painting on the side.
It wasn’t until 2006, that the self-taught artist became serious about pursuing art as a career.
Company/studio: Brian Thibodeaux Fine Art is based in Rayne. With no studio, he paints in unusual places near his home, including the middle of a hayfield, an unused office cubicle and the bed of his pickup truck. For now, he stores his work in an unused office.
Art & materials: Mostly black and white paintings, using acrylic, oil, ink, graphite, plaster, molding paste, and at times, sand, glue and coffee. A golden crown or a red balloon is often added to the silhouette.
“I like painting the golden crown. I view it as a type of halo or enlightenment,” said Thibodeaux. I tend to paint with a deep sense of purpose.”
Paintings are on canvas and linen, but also on unusual surfaces, including cardboard boxes, metal, rubber matting and wood.
What’s popular: Glam girls, a series of work featuring influential women from old Hollywood and around the world, including Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Rita Moreno and Queen Elizabeth in her youth ($575 to $2,000).
Inspirations/influences:
- From childhood: Bob Ross, painter and host of TV’s “The Joy Of Painting.” Never missed a show.Brian
- Norman Rockwell. As a child,Thibodeaux would try to replicate Rockwell’s work that was printed on the local pharmacies yearly calendar.
- Johannes Vermeer for his figurative work, especially “The Milkmaid” and “Girl with a Pearl Earring.”
- Francis Bacon. His abstract forms feature such strong emotions in each brush stroke. No easy task.
- Banksy for a more modern approach. Loves the street art with deep-rooted meanings. “Turning a wall stain into a profound artist message is pretty creative to say the least,” said Thibodeaux.
Next: Sculptures, including:
- Abstracted human torso (male/female). Some may be wall mounted.
- Figurative heads meant for tabletop center pieces.
- Plaster, sand, metal and rock.
Buy:
- Brianfineart.com (being updated).
- DM the artist on Instagram: @Thibodeaux.brian.
Social:
- Instagram: Thibodeaux.brian
