Today we’d like to introduce you to Stefan Huyghe.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I have been living in the United States for over 25 years. I grew up in Belgium. I was born in Beveren, near the port city of Antwerp. As a teenager, I moved to the French part of Switzerland with my parents. There I attended an American School in the German-speaking city of Bern. My native language is Dutch. I also speak fluent English, French, and German.
I arrived in the United States in 1993 after working a couple of years as a tour guide in the French West Indies.
Oil painting has been my passion for over 30 years. My paintings were shown at several group shows in San Francisco while I was living there during the 90s. I also started working in the translation industry. I am currently serving as the Vice President of Communicaid, Inc. an international language provider specialized in professional business translations. I met my wife Ginger who runs a Real Estate Transaction Management business, in Los Angeles. In 2001 I became an American Citizen, something I am very proud of.
Ten years ago, my family moved from California to Dallas to find more “bang for our buck,” and we have never looked back. We love Texas.
Please tell us about your art.
The smell of oil paint is very powerful and distinct. It takes me back to my early childhood, to the house of my grandparents where my grandfather painted traditional Flemish landscapes. Although I was in contact with art from a very young age, I didn’t start painting myself until after my grandpa passed away in 1987. I very much regret that I was never able to show him my own canvases.
While I was a teenager, my family moved to Switzerland where I counted myself extremely lucky to be given the keys to the art class by Gene White. She was a unique art teacher, who pushed me in just the right way without instructing what to do too explicitly. She really unlocked the hidden desire to become an artist in me. I was free to use the art class at any time I had a gap in my schedule. Her encouragements helped me to work harder at honing my brush skills and fulfilling my creative potential.
Ms. White gave me the courage to explore photo-realism. My portfolio widened to more challenging pieces, including life-like portraits and industrial still-lives. In the most recent years, I have concentrated on chromed engines. People seem to really like the complexity and intricate detail of the curbed metal in these. I love metal reflections.
Given everything that is going on in the world today, do you think the role of artists has changed? How do local, national or international events and issues affect your art?
I am an artist, not a politician. Hopefully, people like and respect what I can do technically. My canvases are not meant to change the world. They are meant to show what I like in the world.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I participate in local Art Shows, like Southlake Art in the Square often. I am a member of GAP (Grapevine Art Project) and partake in their shows. Every year I show my new paintings in the town where I currently reside at Keller City Hall. My paintings have won “Best in Show” at juried expositions there twice: “Diesel” in October of 2018 and Coince a couple of years earlier.
Online, you can find me on Facebook and Instagram.
https://www.facebook.com/stefanoilpaintings/
https://www.instagram.com/stefanhuyghe/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/stefanoilpaintings/
- Phone: 4084161435
- Email: stefan.huyghe@icloud.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefanhuyghe/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stefanoilpaintings/
Image Credit:
Stefan Huyghe
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