Interview with Pascal Bouterin Pascal and Meg at Pascal's Studio in France We have had the pleasure of knowing Pascal quite well over the years, first in France where we discovered him several years ago, and then in Atlanta, a city that he has come to call his second home.  We especially enjoyed the days he worked and painted at the gallery, arriving early, setting up his easel in one of our rooms, painting with great discipline, concentration and gusto, and occasionally letting loose in operatic song.  Our choice of music wasn't always his favorite, and he would have prefered a sit down lunch avec un peu de vin instead of the sandwiches and diet coke that we seem to favor.  But we had a great time with him and so enjoyed getting to know this talented and spirited individual.  With this interview, which we translated from French, we wanted to share a little bit more about our dear friend and wonderful artist, for those who may not have the privilege of meeting him, upclose and personal. Where are you from ?   I grew up and live in the South of France.   What are some of your childhood memories?   When I was young, I was always building tree houses in our back yard  My parents knew that when they couldn’t find me, I’d be close by, building a tree house.  As a kid, I was always game to take on any activity that I could.    How did you decide to become an artist?   I realized, at about fourteen, that music and painting would be my way of life.  The arts always interested me much more than academics.  It was around this time that I decided to devote my life to the arts and to teach myself to paint.   Which artists have inspired you ?   Many artists have inpsired me and illuminated my thinking.  I’ve been influenced the most by the impressionist movement, while also being interested in more contemporary work.  My master, though, is and always will be, J.S. Turner.   What do you listen to when you paint ?   Jazz, jazz and more jazz!  It’s like a culture for me, an improvisational language that I associate with my art.   What are your other interests and passions, aside from painting?   Music, swimming, travel, discovering the world.  I am pretty passionate and interested in everything.   What are the tools of your trade?   A pencil, a notebook, a pair of drumsticks (Pascal is also a drummer for a band).   What is your favorite city to visit ?   There are way too many to narrow them down, but I love New York for its energy, Paris for its artchitecture and Venice for its romanticism.   What draws you to Atlanta?  And when will you be back?   Atlanta is a new and young city from my perspective, where people are in the process of growing and discovering new things.  It’s a city of dreams, of graciousness, where people love to live.  I hope to return to Atlanta for three months in December.   If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?   In Africa.   What would we likely find on your bedside table?   I’m not necessarily a fan of high literature and famous authors.  I prefer books about travel, music, and other things that interest me, in documentary form.     Who’s had the most influence on your life?   My parents, my brother, my family.   If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?   That’s difficult to answer because I cannot envision it.   What gets you up in the morning?   The light.   Could you tell us something about yourself that we would never guess?   I love poetry, I love words.  I love reading people.  I’m a stubborn pain in the neck.   (Editors note:  Stubborn?  Who knew?!)     To view Pascal's latest work, click here.