Why did you decide to become an artist? I didn’t decide it. I wanted to design and build boats. Art just got in the way. But I’m very glad it did. This is my 15th year painting full-time as an artist. It’s hard to believe that 15 years ago I walked into Art Resources Gallery with only dreams and I have been painting ever since.
Who influenced you the most to become an artist? My friend Eric. He is the one who built up my self-esteem enough to go to Art Resources Gallery in the first place. I would probably be unhappy building boats if he didn’t push me a little.
Red & Blue Abstract, 2005 by Jeff Boutin. The original abstracts/paintings that Beverly and Jeff reference in the video.
In 2020, we had planned a large exhibition celebration with Jeff Boutin commemorating 15 years of showing his work with ARG! Due to the pandemic, we pivoted and hosted a conversation through Zoom! (Please note the video quality gets better as it plays.) Enjoy!
“As you will hear from my conversation with Jeff Boutin, we go way back and I am very proud that he got his start as a painter 15 years ago at Art Resources Gallery. He is a renowned artist and represented in many galleries across the country. You will hear what a humble and charismatic person he is and it is his very humility that has allowed him to grow so significantly as an artist over the years. He always welcomes feedback from myself and others in the business. The exhibit of his work in both galleries right now is one of the best we have ever seen. His signature style of color, texture, scale, and unique subject matter is on full display. We welcome you to visit these exhibits right now and through the month of July to see for yourself Jeff’s extraordinary talent!”
~Beverly Madden-Bishop, Manager Art Resources Gallery Edina
How long have you been creating? That’s a great question because I can’t remember a time I wasn’t creating. My parents share humorous stories about my childhood. I preferred to build with the cardboard boxes the toys came in than the toys in the box. My mind imagines things and I try to create that dream of whatever it is. I get bored easily and I’m on to the next thing that stimulates my imagination. My first job was painting designs on cars. Then I started designing and manufacturing carpets and rugs and currently, I’m painting. I view myself as a creator more so than an artist.
What is your creative process? Creativity is a passion of mine that needs to be expressed. The paint is applied by any means necessary to accomplish the desired effect. It’s easier for me to express myself on canvas than try to put it into words. I admire writers for that reason. I work with oils for my thick textured paintings and acrylic for more realistic animal paintings. But I do reverse those two styles sometimes.
Is there anything else we should know about you or your work? The compliment that I get consistently is that my art makes people smile. WHAT A PRIVILEGE!!! I hope I never lose that.
Lighten Up, Carolina Wren, and Perched (all are sold), 24 x 24“, acrylic on canvas