Francois Cloutier, Carl Gorman
Francois Cloutier
1927-2016
Canadian
Date
ca.1985
Medium Specific
Color photograph
Classification
Photograph
Dimensions
8 x 10 in. (20.3 x 25.4 cm)
Accession Number
2018.20.10.09
Credit
Gift of Francois and Marilyn Cloutier
Biography
Francois Cloutier found inspiration for his paintings throughout the world. He spent much of his time traveling and studying the lives and work of his favorite artists, and getting to know the people and cultures that were the subjects of his paintings. His figures, each having great individuality, offer a revealing glimpse into their moments of quiet contemplation. An artist of unusual range, his favored style of romantic realism shows a commitment to an ideal of transcendent beauty which projects unusual emotional depth in his work.
Born in Montreal of French and Irish parents, Cloutier attended the Valentine School of Art. Later, while attending the Vancouver School of Art, he was inspired by his mentor, the late Lawren Harris of the famous Canadian "Group of Seven."
As a young man Cloutier made his way to the United States after meeting and receiving encouragement from famed illustrator Norman Rockwell, one of Cloutier's most admired artists.
Early in his career as a graphic artist, he settled in South Florida taking positions in advertising and design at several prestigious American institutions. He worked in the advertising department at Warner Bros. Pictures, won many awards as chief designer for the Orange Bowl Festival, and was a designer for the inaugural ceremonies at Walt Disney World. Cloutier also created costumes and scenic designs for the theater.
After his marriage to Marilyn, an accomplished professional ballet dancer who toured with the Mikhail Mordkin Ballet Company and danced on Broadway, Cloutier’s design skill was put to use in countless ballet productions. The behind-the-scenes world of ballet, and ballerinas, would prove to influence Cloutier’s work tremendously and become the focus of some of his most acclaimed paintings.
In the mid 1970's, the Cloutiers built their North Carolina home where, in the peaceful seclusion of his mountaintop studio, Francois was able to focus all of his attention on painting. Over the next forty years Cloutier created an impressive body of work, now in private and corporate collections around the world.
Born in Montreal of French and Irish parents, Cloutier attended the Valentine School of Art. Later, while attending the Vancouver School of Art, he was inspired by his mentor, the late Lawren Harris of the famous Canadian "Group of Seven."
As a young man Cloutier made his way to the United States after meeting and receiving encouragement from famed illustrator Norman Rockwell, one of Cloutier's most admired artists.
Early in his career as a graphic artist, he settled in South Florida taking positions in advertising and design at several prestigious American institutions. He worked in the advertising department at Warner Bros. Pictures, won many awards as chief designer for the Orange Bowl Festival, and was a designer for the inaugural ceremonies at Walt Disney World. Cloutier also created costumes and scenic designs for the theater.
After his marriage to Marilyn, an accomplished professional ballet dancer who toured with the Mikhail Mordkin Ballet Company and danced on Broadway, Cloutier’s design skill was put to use in countless ballet productions. The behind-the-scenes world of ballet, and ballerinas, would prove to influence Cloutier’s work tremendously and become the focus of some of his most acclaimed paintings.
In the mid 1970's, the Cloutiers built their North Carolina home where, in the peaceful seclusion of his mountaintop studio, Francois was able to focus all of his attention on painting. Over the next forty years Cloutier created an impressive body of work, now in private and corporate collections around the world.