Antonio Estevez
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December 23 2009
Posted in
Antonio Estevez
Stephane Trahan is an artist and is happily married to his wife Cintia Carias Hudon who has had formal training as a sculptor. He has a son from a previous relationship named Jean-Christophe who enjoys painting. His family, currently resides in Saint Therese, Quebec and enjoy doing many different activities together including reading, sports, and the creative arts.
Tell me about your work and influences.
I started doodling with my grandpa at the age of 2. Two years later, he introduced me to his friend, Otto Schmidt, a Doctor in Arts, who deserted his native home of Germany in the late 30s to escape a horrible fate. Otto took me under his wing and made me study and copy some of Krieghoff's work. He realized I had a good eye for details and Krieghoff's work was really intricate. So you could say that my early training was really formal.
When I was 5, I started secretly using my mom's Avon products to make some action painting pieces in the toilet. I would mix colors and was really amazed at the different results using water and movement. As soon as she realized the speed at which her product disappeared, my action painting career was finished.
Later in life, I discovered Jackson Pollock. The biographical movie with Ed Harris reminded me of that five year old kid that was in a closet, that needed to express his deepest emotions and energy on a different level. That started me on a course towards faster execution and a more liberal way of working: new tools, huge spatulas and tons of containers to mix my ammunition. Soon after, it was the artists Riopelle and Bellefleur that opened up another part of me. Like Riopelle, I attack the canvas. Like Bellefleur, I work diagonals; it is my natural rhythm.
Tell me about your relationship with your father, how it shaped you as a father and artist.
My father, Albert Trahan, came from a big family of 13. He had quite a rough upbringing, abusive father and all. Physical abuse was the norm in his family. For a man to break the legacy handed down to him by his own father is quite exceptional. And for that I am very grateful. Albert was a gifted artist that never pursued his dream. He married my mother Denise, who also was an artist and a very gifted oil painter that still produces great pieces.
My relationship with my father could be called a friendship at best. He was well intended, but giving attention and love wasn't natural for him as he never was fully able to experience it as a child. He also lost his mother as a child. So I guess, as a father, I was also able to break the cycle. I always spend extra time with my son doing things I only dreamed of as a boy: playing catch, throwing a football, drawing all afternoon and exchanging smiles and hugs. At the tender age of 11, I finally understood, after years of questioning, that the true meaning of life would be to become a father and transfer as much as possible, my values and experience to elevate our lineage. So at the age of 16, it was clear that becoming a father was my real calling in life.
Do you make art with your children? What other activities do you do with them?
Yes, of course. My son is an astounding artist. He needs to constantly draw and paint and really absorbs all the stimulus thrown at him. Snowboarding, football and golf are the other main activities that we share as a family.
How do you balance family, art, and making a living? Any advice on this subject?Making a living is an obligation both to myself and my family. I need to be able to respect myself in that part of my life to make sure that my family gets the best of me. My family is my reason for living and enjoying everything. Art is a love that we share, that helps us to see life with a different view, a broader vision and a more open mind. It is our cement, our foundation.
How has the current economy affected you as a father and artist?It has forced me to concentrate on me and my family. Some galleries are experiencing tough times and closing, cutting down or stopping their acquisitions altogether. But it has enabled me to use other marketing tools and to develop them further.
How has your lifestyle changed since becoming a father?
It has changed a lot and for the best. I am more grounded and see life in a different way. I have had a lot of success in both my professional Race Car Career and in business. My greatest achievement in life is my son JC; the fact that I succeeded in transferring the values of being a man, a husband and a caring father.
What movies,TV, shows, books, games do you enjoy with your family and recommend?
We truly enjoy watching the TV shows House and Lie to me. We read a lot too. My wife enjoys love stories, and my son loves Manga anime like Dragonball and Naruto. I prefer to read a good Ludlum and I just finished the Millenium trilogy and Angels and Demons.
Stephane Trahan's paintings can be viewed on his website:
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/stephane-trahan.html
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written by antonio estevez, January 02, 2010
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what is your favorite thing to paint / draw ?