Guy Trinquet is a French artist based in Melbourne who paints mainly seascapes. We chatted to him about his art, his inspiration and the challenges of being an artist during the COVID-19 lockdown in Melbourne.
Guy was also recently shortlisted for the most prestigious landscape art prize in Australia, the Glover Art Prize 2021. Guy Trinquet was one of 42 finalists selected from around the world.
Have you always known your artistic side?
Art was my favourite subject at school but I didn’t pursue it seriously until much later in life. At school, I was notorious for sketching even during subjects like math which often got me into trouble with teachers. I always knew that I would become a painter. I felt it was part of my journey and my identity. It was just a matter of time. Even though I worked in more conventional jobs for most of my working life, I knew that I would one day be focusing primarily on my art.
In 2014, I opened a French cafe in Melbourne. The walls were bare so I decided to dress them up with my paintings. At the time, I didn’t even have an easel. I just put large canvases on the floor, got on my knees, painted scenes from memories of my childhood, and hung up the paintings. The art created a special feel to the cafe. Customers often asked who the artist was and many of my paintings were sold that way. That encouraged me to paint even more. After work, I would come home and paint late into the night and watch tutorials in bed.
You’re self-taught. How did you learn painting techniques?
I worked as a makeup artist in Paris and Melbourne which gave me a good knowledge of colours. In terms of painting, I experimented with different mediums and materials. I also watched a lot of tutorials and tested new techniques. I never gave up and kept improving.
How long have you been in Australia for and what brought you here?
I moved to Australia in 2005 for family reasons. I visit France whenever I can.
You are inspired by nature. How does nature inspire you?
Being in nature, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, is like meditating for me. It gives me a sense of peace. The colours, sounds and smells inspire me. When I’m working in my studio, I leave the door open and I can hear the birds singing, the leaves rustling in the wind, the rain on the rooftop. It’s better than music. It’s simply magic. This activates my creativity. The weather shapes my mood and what I paint. Even cold, rainy days inspire a painting.
You’ve crossed the Atlantic in a boat twice, which permitted you to study the ligth and storm formations. Tell us about these experiences.
When I was sailing with just two or three other crew members, it was just us in the middle of the ocean. I was constantly aware of the might and power of nature, especially during dangerous storms at sea. The amazing experiences and memories of these times are powerful and stay with me till this day. I feel deeply connected to the ocean and nature. The salty scent and taste of the ocean still spark vivid memories of those times. It’s probably why I still am drawn to the ocean, even if it’s just to drive along the coast.
What is your painting process? Do you work on several canvases at once or do you work on a single canvas until it’s finished before starting another?
Most of the time, I work on just one painting at a time. Each painting is very personal and I need to be in a “flow state” to complete it. I’ll only work on another painting if I have to wait for days or weeks for layers to dry.
Before becoming a painter, what did you do in life?
In Paris, I worked at the iconic Café de Flore in St Germain des Pres before retraining as a makeup artist. When I moved to Melbourne, I was a professional makeup artist for a French American brand before opening a French café.
You live in Melbourne. Has Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdown given you inspiration or has been stuck inside prevented you finding inspiration?
It was challenging during the lockdown as I wasn’t able to drive to different places in nature for inspiration. However, I also discovered beautiful trails next to a creek near my home. Thankfully, I can hear birds constantly at my home, from about 4.30 am till about 7 pm which gives me a sense of being in nature.
As I paint from memory and emotion, I was still able to paint a lot during the lockdown. I created a lot of atmospheric paintings of misty mountains and moody seascapes during this period.
How do you find Australian coasts and beaches are different to French ones?
Being a Melbourne-based artist, I am within a few hours of the Mornington Peninsula and the Great Ocean Road. Some parts of the Great Ocean Road remind me of Brittany but we don’t have the calm seas of the Mediterranean here. I still need to explore other parts of Australia.
How do your clients find you?
Many art lovers and art collectors have discovered my landscape paintings through word of mouth and also through my website guytrinquet.com and my instagram @guytrinquetart.
Is it difficult to take realistic photos of your paintings?
All my paintings are photographed professionally with high quality cameras. The limited edition prints are printed on fine art, museum grade paper from Germany with archival inks and look like the original.
Anything else to add?
I love teaching others how to develop their creativity. I enjoy showing them how to get started, how to paint boldly, the attitudes to embrace when painting and the joy of painting.
When I had my café, I ran art classes there. I will be developing new classes soon.
My paintings can be delivered throughout Australia and internationally. Details of my paintings and art classes can be found on my website guytrinquet.com and on instagram at @guytrinquet.art.
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You can view and purchase Guy Trinquet’s paintings via his website www.guytrinquet.com. You can also follow him on instagram at www.instagram.com/guytrinquet.art
Do you have an artistic side?
