Arts Alive San Antonio

The gallery is in Blanco and the artist is from France but, somehow, they connected and the result is a new exhibit, “Kaleidoscope of Recent Works” that just opened at the Echo Gallery, which specializes in mid-century antiques, but intends to have more art exhibits, as well.

The press release says that artist, Denise Canat, was born in Gaudaloupe, French West Indies, and settled in Paris in 1972. She now lives in the south of France.  Her work has been exhibited in Paris,
Aix-en-Provence, Tours and La Ciotat where she currently resides. She earned a BFA from Tulane University in New Orleans. Art and travel have been cornerstones of her life since her childhood in a family that moved often.  Below is our interview with Ms. Canat.

How did you get in touch with the Echo Gallery?
I found out about the work of the Echo Gallery through a family friend who suggested that I contact the owners, Linda and John (John Sone and Linda Haddock). I liked the diversity that I saw and the linking of art with antiques.

Your exhibition is titled “Kaleidoscope of Recent Works.” Tell us about it.
The key word in the title is “Kaleidoscope.” It describes my approach to the creative process: exploration and diversity in technique and media. I am constantly searching for, and experimenting with new ways to make art. My more traditional paintings evolved as I started mixing media, adding acrylic, and drawing over collapsed paper. I then became intrigued with making mono prints from etched Styrofoam plates. More recently, I have been playing around with using rags as paint brushes to see what effects I could get.

Tell us about your themes.
Although my themes seem to continue to gravitate around nudes and landscapes, the challenge for me is to find new ways for rendering these subjects. The nude figure offers me the potential to work with dynamic lines and space, to give life to its many expressive facets.

I am also attracted to urban landscape where I use geometry and color to create vibrant environments that lead the eye through the composition.

When did you discover art?
At age 8, I took my first art class, based on producing copy work. This helped me develop drawing skills but was devoid of creativity. Even at 8, I knew I wanted to become an artist one day, like my great-grandfather. So, in college, I got a BFA from Tulane University, and later, I moved to Paris.

There, I worked in artist studios and workshops. Eventually, I got to participate in group exhibition in Paris, Tours, Aix-en-Provence and elsewhere. Ten years ago, I moved to La Ciotat in the south of France where I became very involved with the regional art scene.

Have you exhibited in the US before this exhibit at the Echo Gallery?
My exhibition at the Echo Gallery is the second time that I’ve exhibited in the United States. Last November, I had a solo exhibit during the Austin Studio Tour at Green Gate Farm. The work exhibited at the Echo Gallery is available for purchase, with prices ranging from $600 to $1,200.

Have you ever considered moving permanently to the U.S.?
Although I have family in Texas, my social and professional life is centered in La Ciotat, France.
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“Kaleidoscope of Recent Works” will be on view through July 30, 2024; Echo Gallery, 1725 S US Hwy 281
in Blanco; 830-225-8687. The Gallery was praised by Paper City Magazine as “a uniquely curated art gallery and antique store with mid-century treasures from designers such as Eames, Aarnio and Girard.” There’s also a sculpture Garden with a changing collection of works offered for sale.