ESTIVALET, Elisabeth
Impressionist, Provence
Provence's rolling farmlands, sun-drenched coasts and looming valleys have always been a source of inspiration to the great painters of history, including Elisabeth Estivalet.
A native of Poland, Estivalet fell in love with Provence when she settled there in the late 1970's. Though Estivalet holds degrees in both Economics and Philosophy, the countryside of Provence elicited from her a natural artistic talent, and she instinctively embarked on a passionate and lifelong career as an artist. Painting solely with a palette knife, Estivalet taught herself to master the techniques of color management, perspective and composition. What resulted are candid renditions of a tranquil and serene Provence.
Estivalet's sunny landscapes bring to mind the works of the old Post-Impressionist masters. Her subject matter and artistic style are reminiscent of the masterful works of Paul Cézanne. Estivalet's thick palette and vibrant colors are evocative of Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gaughin in Arles .
Yet, in spite of the many similarities and comparisons,Estivalet stands alone as a painter. Her exceptional interpretations of Provence are unrivaled.
Estivalet's refreshing works elicit feelings of contentment and tranquility, and invite one to explore a pristine and undiscovered French countryside. Her evocations of the French countryside won her numerous gold medals and first prize awards. The international acclaim and exposure Elisabeth Estivalet gained from these art competitions led her to Artexpo Las Vegas in 1996, where she officially debuted her work in the U.S. Throughout the years, Estivalet has gained a celebrity following. Her work has been featured in several Hollywood motion pictures, such as “The Strangers,” starring Liv Tyler. Estivalet's work is also the subject of an art education class, which explores her artistic style alongside the styles of Georgia O'Keefe, Picasso, Pollock, and Cézanne.