Sébastien Montel expresses himself and stirs our emotions. As an expressionist painter, Sébastien blends figurative and abstract elements of painting into his own unique interpretations. Born in Nice, France, he developed a keen interest in sketching and drawing at an early age, and as a teenager, took classes in painting and engraving. As an adult later living in Paris, Sébastien was mentored by Ousseynou Sarr, an internationally renowned African painter from Senegal. He has been influenced by early twentieth century artists of the Fauvism movement. Malerisch brushstrokes and strong, bold colors are representative features in many of Sebastien's works. His passion for painting stems from his interest in movement, color, and human nature. Many times, black and white photography has inspired his colorful creations on canvas. Sébastien studied the human psyche extensively and received a Ph.D. in Psychology from Université Paris Descartes in France. His academic training has served as a backdrop for his creativity and artistic expression. His paintings pose a slight rebellion to standard techniques, revealing a deep reflection of human sensibility, emotional expression, and inner nature. Sébastien's personal technique involves oil paint on linen canvas for his artwork. He has developed his own unique color palette through a process of blending until he achieves the desired color to capture just the right effect, often giving the impression of uncontoured, unrestrained brushstrokes. “My inspiration for painting started at a young age and quickly became an integral part of my life. Through art, I felt that I could recreate what I found in nature and the sensibilities that I saw in human emotion. It has led me to explore techniques and color to create images that are bold and powerful. Art has been a means of expression for me—and my hope is that my art can evoke an emotional response in those who appreciate it.” Sébastien continually explores new media for his paintings. Recent works have included engraving, and oil paint on wood, with the goal of shaping movement in a more defined context. We’re proud to feature Sébastien’s unique talent at Barlow Gallery. To shop for prints of Sébastien’s artwork in various sizes and materials, click HERE.