(Image: "Element of Wood" by Philippe Guillerm)

Philippe Guillerm's music-inspired sculptures are whimsical and curvaceous string instruments. He uses the theme as a way of expressing human nature and needs, and where one might see an instrument, Philippe sees an attitude. In addition to the musical theme, many of his sculptures depict sea scenes and animals. His other works include functional art like “sculptural-speakers”, finely carved furniture, large dimensional wall murals and monumental outdoor pieces. He works with exotic and local wood such as mahogany, aspen, jacaranda, poplar, wengue, purple heart, and walnut, using the wood's color like a painter uses paint. His works reflect dreams, illusions, and reality and invite the viewer to stop and reflect about human nature. He has worked on different art projects around the world in places such as the Black Pearl Museum in Tahiti, the International airports in Papeete and New Caledonia, and several yacht clubs and restaurants in Brazil and Australia. Philippe maintains a studio in Hope, Maine.

When did you first realize that you were going to be an artist and when did you first start making art?
I never had the sensation that I would be an artist one day. It all came naturally, and from a very young age, I was attracted to the arts and more specifically, surrealism. I was really lucky to be able to live in Paris where everything there is art. I had abilities for drawing and loved to build things, so it came very naturally. Later on, I finished my mechanical engineering education and that helped me with the logistics of building a piece of art.

Who or what inspires you?

There are many painters and sculptors that inspire me: Gaugin, Picasso, Dali, Magritte--they gave me the starting point for a cause, for the creation of the uncreated! These great artists taught me to reach beyond limits of imagination. These days, my favorite artists are my friends Jean Pierre Frey, A. E. London, Louise Peterson, Jean-Claude Gaugy.

Is (was) anyone else in your family in the arts?
Nobody in my family was an artist per se, but my father has a passion for carpentry and he taught me a lot. I spent many hours drawing and building boats and furniture with him.

Are you self-trained or did you go to art school?
100% autodidact! All my works are studies and I am still learning. I will use my most recent sculpture as a guide for the next one, and it is always a learning process. I went to school for mechanical engineering in Paris and never really worked in that field, but it did help me with my creations.

(Image: "Cheval" by Philippe Guillerm)

Is the process of creating your art long or short?
It all depends on what is long or short. I am a very productive artist that is always looking for a faster way to make a piece of art because another sculpture is waiting to be born. The more art I make, the more evolution will be seen in my pieces. Usually I will start a sculpture on paper--it all starts with a sketch. The process of making the piece is sometimes long because I do not have the wood for it and will have to go find it, as I use a lot of distressed wood from around my studio or around the area. But as soon as I have all the elements, I just go nuts and work non-stop for hours.

Tell us something about your work. Do you have a subject matter that defines you as an artist?
My work is primarily research to surprise and amaze people. I am primarily identified by my violin theme and this is fine with me because that is what I like to sculpt. I love the working of the wood, the colors and the textures.

What makes you stay with a particular subject matter? Why are you drawn to it?
I specialize in the theme of music because I love music. It is an infinite inspiration for me. The instruments I use (violins and cellos) are sculptures themselves and I like to use them to express attitudes we all have. My violins are an extension of my attitude. They speak for me. I like their shapes and forms. Violins have been used for centuries and what really fascinates me is the unbeleivable sound that comes out of such a small instrument or sculpture, if you will.

(Image: "Self Portrait" by Philippe Guillerm)

How do you stay motivated?
What keeps me motivated is the knowledge that I am doing what I am really passionate about and when I see the reaction of the people and the questions asked about my work I am motivated even more. The interaction that I have with the public is the most rewarding of all.

What have you been working on lately? Are you experimenting with anything new?
I love to change my style or materials, and at this moment I am working on transformation... plants into instruments. Using native wood or recycled or distressed materials is something that I am experimenting with and I really love it. I will be showing new sculpture by the end of this month.

Has your medium changed from when you first started out?
I am comfortable with a lot of mediums: wood, bronze, fiber, cement, steel, ceramic and clay. I prefer to have no barriers in order to realize a sculpture. I started out with bas-reliefs with all kinds of marine motifs. I liked to work with the two dimensional, but I was quickly drawn to working three dimensionally.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Just do it (I know the phrase is not mine!). Believe in yourself and just go for it. You will have plenty time to learn, and you probably will never reach perfection, but just go and try everything. Be curious and experiment and most importantly, believe in yourself.

What kind of comment do you despise the most when overheard at one of your openings?
Some times people will ask, “Can we play your violins?”

What kind of comment pleases you the most when overheard at one of your openings?
I like to hear the various interpretations that people have--it is fascinating how different they can be. This is really nice for me to hear. I like when people identify their life or actions with my figures and tell me “Oh, that is just how I feel.”

How have you handled the business side of being an artist?
I haven't ;-) it is my better half's job! This is a part of being an aritist that I do not control. I am a very bad business man and fortunately my wife Jackie handles everything with perfection. It is a very important part of being a successful artist.

Do you have any outside interests other than art?
I have a passion for the sea, and sailing is a big deal for me. We lived for 20 years on a sailboat and went around the world. I also love mountain biking, and this past summer crossed the United States from NY to LA on my road bike. I love racing boats, and I own a laser and go on races every other Sunday, weather permitting. I also like skijoring with my dog, and love drawing comics. After my trip across America, I started a new comic strip blog (www.bicyclecomicjokes.blogspot.com), where I post all of my drawings about comic bicycle jokes and funnies. I am a big fan of comic books and published a graphic novel "Bobby the Buoy" (www.bobbythebuoy.com).

(Image: Guitar Speakers by Philippe Guillerm)

Are you disciplined about your creative process (in other words, do you treat the process like a job, where you keep particular hours in the studio), or are you more spontaneous?
No, I do not keep particular hours in the studio, I start a sculpture and then will go for a ride on my bike or sailing. I like to keep it simple and spontaneous, however if I am doing a commissioned work then it is just like a job--a 12 hour per day job! I am so eager to see the project finished that I will not stop until is done.

How would your life change if you were no longer allowed to create art?
I don't really know, I can't picture myself not creating something or building something. I really can't see or imagine not creating art--I would probably sail away to a deserted island.

What's the best part of being a full time, working artist?
It's the availability of time to realize your creations.

What's the worst part of being a full time, working artist?
It's the "not enough time" to do everything you wanted to create in a lifetime.

Do you have any upcoming shows?
I will have shows in 2010 in Florida, Colorado and California. Currently, I am part of the Maine Wood 2010: Biennial Exhibition at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship which runs through February 12, 2010.

Where can we find your work?

Mary Martin Gallery of Fine Art in Charleston, South Carolina
www.marymartinart.com

Carver Hill Gallery in Rockport, Maine
www.carverhillgallery.com

Galerie d'Art Drummond in Quebec, Canada
www.galeriedartdrummond.com

The Wit Gallery in Lenox, Massachusetts
thewitgallery.com

Coco Vivo Interior and Fine Art in Boothbay Harbor, Maine
www.coastandcottage.com

The Grand Bohemian in Orlando, Florida
www.grandbohemiangallery.com

>link to Philippe Guillerm's website

- Brenda Bonneville, editor

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