Mireille Duchesne

Artist Statement, 2013: "After many years of figurative paintings, I felt the urge to go into a new direction.
Classical painting requires technique and a lot of discipline which was for me very soothing, I needed this peace and I try to convey this feeling of harmony and serenity in my paintings.

Lately I became unsatisfied, I was looking for something different not knowing exactly what I wanted , so one day I just took a canvas and let my hand dictates what to paint. I use palette knives, brushes, paper towel and very bold colors, giving a lot of texture.

This new style is a synthesis of the classical and the abstract. it gives me a lot of freedom and allow me to get more engaged."

From her earliest memory, Mireille Duchesne had a colored pencil in her hand. Later it was a paint brush, however, pursuing a career in art was unacceptable to her parents, so in addition to her formal education, Mireille pursued her passion in the evenings at the Beaux Arts school. Born in Noramandie, France, she went on to receive a Masters Degree in art at Rouen’s University in le Havre.

After marrying and years of world travel and informal painting she returned to France to the Beaux Arts to pursue an education in art. There she took advanced classes in drawing and painting. Ms Duchesne then relocated to United States and further developed her skills and studying present and new art forms. Discovering another medium, painting on silk she spent a successful twenty years honing her skills in this delicate medium and achieving great success with wearables and paintings featured in private collections throughout Unites States and Europe.

Ms Duchesne has returned to painting classic oils and pastels and paints after the tradition of  18th century French painter, Jean Chardin. She has studied portraiture with Daniel Greene, classical painting with Richard Pionk and Gregg Kreutz at the Art Student League and portraiture with Richard Pionk at the Pastel Society of America. Today she is a Signature Member of Pastel Society of America, and holds membership in the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, the Salmagundi Club, Mamaroneck Artists Guild and the Kent Art Center. Her work has been shown throughout New York and Connecticut and she has received numerous awards.

“ Painting is my passion, my life. I am talking with my heart in my paintings. If I succeed to give through my works, my joy of life, my goal would be reached”