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An Expression of Emotion
Art Business News, July, 2001 by Julie Keller
California artist Henri Plisson has moved beyond the boundaries of Impressionism and into an era of `emotional expressionism'
Though the colorful landscapes, vibrant florals and energetic brushstrokes characteristic of painter Henri Plisson's work certainly make an impression on the viewer, calling his work Impressionistic is not nearly descriptive enough.
While this Omaha, Neb., native has extensively studied the work of the great Impressionist masters and often incorporates the lessons he's learned into his paintings, his work has moved beyond the style to a more specific genre. In fact, it epitomizes a technique that has been dubbed by Colville Publishing's Founder and President Christian Title as "emotional expressionism."
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"His work is not just an intellectual evaluation of light and shadow but more of an emotionally driven application," explained Title. "In the truest sense of the word, he is an expressionist painter."
And Title should know. He's worked with Plisson for more than two decades publishing and selling his work through the Torrance, Calif.-based company. He's also been privy to 20 years worth of praise for Plisson's work by both critics and collectors alike. "He has such a command of the brush and the paint and is regarded by many collectors and museum people to be an extremely talented American painter," Title added.
To Plisson, the creation of his paintings is much simpler. "When I start to create a new piece, I have some sort of vision or idea for a painting, then I build on that idea. I work on it until it is something that will be pleasing to me as a painter and to other people who look at it," he said.
He continued, "I try to attain a rhythmic pattern in painting that does not interfere with its spontaneity; a pattern of brushtrokes, values and color."
Originally from Nebraska, Plisson (who was born Patrick Ryan and uses the pseudonym Henri Plisson for his art) said he has had an artistic affinity since childhood. "It seemed like I had some artistic ability for as long as I can remember, and I showed some promise as an artist," he said.
But the colorful images and golden light that filled his imagination as a child were not to be discovered in the Midwestern plains. "When I was a kid, I saw all the places I would like to visit in the movies and on television other than Nebraska," he laughed.
So after completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Omaha, Plisson packed his bags and headed to the scenic beaches of southern California. There, he received his master's degree in fine arts from the University of Southern California and began oil painting full time. He later spent three years living in Mallorca and traveling extensively throughout Europe, where he found inspiration in the Mediterranean architecture, captivating vistas and colorful people.
Upon returning to the Sunshine State and continuing to devote his life to his art, his work garnered the attention of Hollywood heavy hitters and can be found in the collections of such stars as Gene Kelly, Gabe Kaplan, Mary Tyler Moore and Nancy Sinatra.
"My first one-man show I had in Los Angeles, a young lady arrived who loved my work and bought several paintings. The woman was Nancy Sinatra around the time of `These Boots Are Made for Walking,'" Plisson recalled.
Today, Plisson continues to paint from his San Diego, Calif., home, though health problems have slowed him down a bit. And Colville has a collection of more than 20 years worth of Plisson serigraphs created since the company first ventured into the publishing arena in the '70s and '80s. "Plisson worked very passionately with the printers using the kind of meticulous serigraphy technique you rarely see anymore today," said Title. "If someone buys a really great Plisson from 10 years ago, that's still a forever piece."
But like great Impressionist masters before him, Plisson isn't necessarily hoping to create a timeless masterpiece--he's just hoping to connect with those who view his art. "I hope it is universal in its appeal," he said. "To me, it is very flattering when people want to look at my work and put it on their walls."
COPYRIGHT 2001 Summit Business Media
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning
