Roatan Island Artist: Paul Chapdelaine
En Plein Air - Landscape Painter - Colorist
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Roatan Island Artist Paul Chapdelaine is a well know artist in Tela and Roatan. But, I did not know that, until I walked by what I thought was a street painter (you know, like the kind you see in parks and boulevards in the big cities) and met the man. At first, I took out my camera and asked if I could take some fotos of him painting. He nodded “yes” as an agreement and I snapped a few shots. I wandered on down the sandy road of West End and on my return walk, he was still there. I wanted to get to know this painter better, so I asked him to tell me a little about himself. As he talked, I saw the colors of his life in his words and I knew I wanted to know more. He then let me see his home, where he showed me the colors of his life’s work. It was a sight to see. Roatan Island Artist Paul Chapdelaine is a well know artist in Tela and Roatan. But, I did not know that, until I walked by what I thought was a street painter (you know, like the kind you see in parks and boulevards in the big cities) and met the man. At first, I took out my camera and asked if I could take some fotos of him painting. He nodded “yes” as an agreement and I snapped a few shots. I wandered on down the sandy road of West End and on my return walk, he was still there. I wanted to get to know this painter better, so I asked him to tell me a little about himself. As he talked, I saw the colors of his life in his words and I knew I wanted to know more. He then let me see his home, where he showed me the colors of his life’s work. It was a sight to see. I asked him if he would write an article for www.Roatan.ws. He was pleased to do so and within a couple of days he had a hand written selection ready. We went to Waves of Art and talked with Michele Braun, who confirmed what Paul had written and showed me several paintings he had on display. Paul Chapdelaine is truly a part of the colors of Roatan and it is a great privilege to share him with you! The following article is his: I made my splash as an artist in 1994 in a sleepy town called Tela, on the North Coast of Honduras. It is still the same. I didn't come as a teacher, but as a full time artist. I saw a desire and need within myself to learn the arts, especially through the younger generation. After six years in Tela and a small following, I felt I needed to make a change. After all, I need to have support to stay put. All artists need this, or we move on and that’s just a fact. My training was through the Boston Museum School of Fine Arts (four years full time), receiving a diploma and degree in 1985. I found my niche as an En Plien Air Landscape Painter. |
(French expression which means "in the open air", and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors. This was done to optimize the use of natural light both on the natural scene and the pigment of paint colors.) I first came to Roatan in 2000 and with the support of locals and the tourist trade, I dreamed of opening a real Art School here. But, now I teach about painting “what you see” to the young and old, privately. That is very enjoyable. As a person that was raised at the orphanage in Lowell, Massachusetts, thru the foster care program, I say this, “No matter what your back ground is, find something you love to do (as art or music is teachable) and if you are sincere it will pay off. Stick to it, because the more you do, the better you get.” I don’t need to tell you about the lean years, but I never gave up. Every once in a while, I had to stop and get a real job. But now I am a well respected teacher and artist.
I am a colorist because I “know” (the eye tells the brain about color) and the neutrons fly. Black and white doesn't do this. All my paintings are about color. The colors here in Roatan are unbelievable! So, look me up at the first “One Man Gallery” in West End next to the Shirt Shack (I live in the wood house in the back) or, at the Waves of Art Gallery where Michelle Braun has become a friend and admirer of my work. Life, liberty and the pursuit |
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